This year, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, on Mormon.org, is again taking the initiative to share the message of the life of Jesus Christ, by encouraging us to participate in the #lighttheworld by serving those in need. In this way we are showing how we live the teachings of Jesus Christ in our lives and letting our light shine.
Last year, about half way through the month of December, I suddenly discovered this was happening, and watched as others actively participated and shared how it had brightened their lives and the lives of those they served and interacted with. I learned of some amazing stories, and I have to say, I felt quite sad not to have known about it from the first. All I can say is, last year is a blur because of all that we had going on in our family, with my parents, and siblings, and children.
Anyway, long story short, I am super excited to have planned some exciting ways for my family to be active participants as we attempt to #lighttheworld!
Here are the activities we have chosen to do this season.
For the month of December:
1 - Matthew 10:8 - "Freely ye have received, freely give." - Choose one family member & perform and act of service for them.
2 - Matthew 25:35 - "I was thirsty and ye gave me drink." - Donate water bottles to local shelter & attend a Christmas show to fill ourselves with the Christmas spirit!
3 - Matthew 12:12 - "Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days." - Watch the Christmas Broadcast with family - dessert & hot chocolate.
4 - Matthew 22:39 - "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." - Neighbor Family Dinner/Games
5 - Matthew 15:4 - "Honor thy father and thy mother." - Write a note to grandparents and send or deliver it.
6 - Matthew 7:1 - "Judge not, that ye be not judged." - Go all day without having negative thoughts or words about/towards another person.
7 - Mark 10:14 - "Suffer the little children to come unto me." - Take coloring books to local children's hospital.
8 - Matthew 5:44 - "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. - Choose a random act of kindness and perform it today (RAOK).
9 - Matthew 25:36 - "I was sick and ye visited me." - Find someone who is not feeling well and drop off dinner & a note.
10 - John 5:39 - "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life." - Invite a friend and go see the lights at the LDS temple in our area. Link is here if you live in Arizona.
11 - Matthew 25:35 - "I was a stranger and ye took me in." - Widow deliveries - this could be a note, a treat, a flower, or just a visit.
12 - Matthew 5:4 - "Blessed are they that mourn." - Take flowers to someone who needs cheering up.
13 - Matthew 7:12 - "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." - Ding dong ditch someone or a few people with a treat. (At the end of this post is a printable you can click on and print and attach to your treat.) Love doing this with my kids!
14 - Matthew 6:21 - "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." - Work at a shelter, providing meals. Here is the link to Feed My Starving Children, which is where we have chosen for this activity.
15 - Matthew 5:7 - "Blessed are the merciful." - Deliver a Christmas item to the LDS missionaries who are serving in our area or home ward. This could be a treat or a small tree, or an ornament...the possibilities are endless!
16 - Matthew 25:36 - "(I was) naked and ye clothed me." - Choose gently used & clean, warm clothes or jackets to donate to a local shelter.
17 - 3 Nephi 18:22 - "Ye shall meet together oft." - Deliver small treats/cookies to neighbors &/or friends.
18 - Matthew 6:14 - "Forgive men their trespasses." - Choose someone who you may have a difficult time with and do something nice for them.
19 - Matthew 5:12 - "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad." - Drive around and listen to Christmas music and look at the lights and appreciate others talents.
20 - Luke 12:15 - "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." - Write down a list of things you are grateful for and share during dinner.
21 - Matthew 25:35 - "For I was an hungered and ye gave me meat." - Put together charity packets as a family for those in need you might drive by during the day.
22 - 3 Nephi 27:21 - "That which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do." - Have niece & nephews or grandkids or friends children over so their parents can wrap or last minute shop without them around.
23 - Matthew 25:36 - "I was in prison and ye came unto me." - Angel trees - children of prison inmates need Christmas too. Here is the link.
24 - 3 Nephi 18:15 - "Ye must watch and pray always." - Sing at a nursing home, hand out notes and pray for the people sung to tonight.
25 - Matthew 5:14 - "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." - Make sure to write down, talk about and share our experiences with others. Make sure to reflect on what we have learned, felt, and would do again or do differently next year.
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