Have you noticed the large, red signs popping up in our community that are encouraging you to “Serve a Stranger; Feed Our Hungry; Make a Difference in Our Community; Love Your Neighbor, Forgive Someone, or Be a Peacemaker?” Light the World is a global initiative to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and encourage people to serve others during the Christmas season. It is an invitation to transform Christmas into a season of service. It’s a worldwide movement to touch hearts and change lives by doing the things Jesus did: feeding the hungry, comforting the lonely, visiting the sick and afflicted, and showing kindness to everyone. Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).

“Since a new star first appeared above Bethlehem, Christmas has been a season of light” — on Christmas trees, in our yards and windows, on our tables — “reminding us that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. Together we can celebrate His birth by making the world a brighter place. All we have to do is follow Him — His life, His example, and His teachings. In doing so, we can help #LIGHTtheWorld.”

The initiative began with the hope that people would not simply think about Jesus Christ during the Christmas season — or even just learn more about Him — but that people would come to know Him by doing what He did.

The theme for this year’s Light the World Christmas initiative is “Let Your Light Shine.” It was inspired by President Russell M. Nelson’s words in his 2022 Christmas Message: “This Christmas season, will you let your light shine? Amid all the hustle and bustle of gifts and gatherings, will you let your light reflect the light and love of Jesus Christ? With the dawning of each day, could you identify someone who needs your light? Jesus Christ changed the world for each of us with His atoning sacrifice. He is the light of the world. He is the light we need to hold up.”

The Pocatello Communication Council and local congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wanted to share the initiative with everyone and get our community, neighbors, and friends engaged in sharing light this Christmas. No matter what your religious beliefs are, everyone wants to do good at Christmas and everyone has light that can be shared with others. The Council has organized a list of community and interfaith events, service opportunities and needs in the Portneuf Valley so that all can participate in the initiative. Light the World is for our entire community — to help our community! So many people do not know that there is a need in our backyard, and we wanted to share ways to help others find those needs right here.

The Council hopes that everyone will light up our community by supporting interfaith events, giving of their time, remembering others, being kind, serving, and sharing their abundance with those who need it most. The red signs will prompt you to call your parents, visit your grandparents, feed the hungry, share a smile, forgive someone, or show love to your neighbor. By thinking of Jesus Christ and following his example, our area will light up with goodness in a darkened world.

The Communication Council created a flyer ’50 Ways to Light Portneuf Valley’ highlighting our own “Giving” opportunities. Many of these needs and many others are posted on JustServe.org. The Communication Council invites all to like and follow their social media pages as they will be highlighting the Light the World initiative on Facebook (Church of Jesus Christ Portneuf Valley) and Instagram (churchofjesuschristportneufvly). You can sign up for daily text messages by texting LIGHT to 71234. Videos and additional ideas for sharing your light can be found on LighttheWorld.org. You are also invited to help spread the light and share pictures of others sharing their light at #LIGHTtheWORLD.

Some History of the Light the World Initiative:

The initiative began on December 1, 2016, “In 25 Ways Over 25 Days” with the invitation to participate in a Worldwide Day of Service to follow Jesus’ example. Jesus healed the blind and the lame and ministered to the hungry, poor, and needy. Thousands responded to the invitation to participate in the Worldwide Day of Service by serving others in their homes, at work, and in their communities, both in grand and simple ways. Since 2016, the focuses have included Give as He Gave; Light the World One by One, Share Kindness, Light the World with Love, and The World Needs Your Light.

In 2017, the Giving Machines were introduced. The Giving Machines were placed in ten different locations around the world. What are Giving Machines? The Giving Machines are like vending machines, but instead of buying something for yourself like soda, chips, or candy, you can purchase a donation for someone in need. Using credit cards, people can purchase representations of items like a goat or chicken, socks, a new pair of school shoes, an eye exam, clean water, baby supplies, vaccines, first aid kits, medication, or food. After the purchase is complete, the machine vends the item into a bin at the bottom. These donations and the money used to purchase them are then distributed to charity providers. Being able to truly help someone and bless their lives for the better — clear around the world — is fun and so easy to do and can make a difference in someone’s life. It is a blessing for both the receiver and the giver.

New to the program in 2022 was the Mobile Giving Machine, which traveled through five cities in the Southeastern United States.

Since the Giving Machines first launched in 2017, 1.5 million people have donated more than $22 million, 250,000 chickens, 500,000 articles of clothing such as coats and gloves, 2,600 goats, 500,000 diapers, and 10 million healthy meals.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covers all program operational expenses. This ensures that participating nonprofits receive 100% of the collected funds. Sharon Eubank, Director of Humanitarian Services for the Church, said, “Not a single person could be cared for without each Giving Machine participant. Their loving and unselfish gifts are miraculous. As a Church, we are blessed to sponsor this inspired initiative and extend our sincere gratitude to all who make it happen. I cannot think of a greater gift we could offer others than to feed, clothe, educate, and shelter our brothers and sisters in need. It is what our Savior Jesus Christ did and what He asks us to do.”

During the 2023 Christmas season, Light the World Giving Machines can be found in 61 locations and in seven countries including Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, and in 46 locations across the United States, including downtown Las Vegas and Time Square in New York City. The closest Giving Machine can be found at City Creek Mall in downtown Salt Lake City. Giving Machine donations can also be made online at LighttheWorld.org.