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Christmas: Church urges public to #LightThe World
Ahead of the 2020 Christmas celebration, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has urged members of the public to “Light The World’’.
According to it, the true spirit of Christmas is in the call by Jesus Christ to love and light up the lives of one another.
The Church made the call in Lagos at the unveiling of the 2020 Light The World Campaign to herald the Yuletide season.
The Light the World programme ,#LightTheWorld, is an initiative by the church that urges people to show love through acts of humanitarian services in commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Speaking at the event, Mr Ikpe Nkanang, CC Communication Director of the church, said: “Light the World Programme is an initiative of the church.
“In the programme, what we do is to task members of the public to, irrespective of their faith, join us in celebrating the child Jesus Christ .
“And at the depth of it, Christ came to light the world and so, in 25 days and 25 ways, the church is asking that the world, public, family members, friends, should in those 25 days, light up the world.
“ The 2020 programme starts Dec. 1, 2020 and lasts till Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2020.
“We have drawn up a calendar for inspiration to be used daily as a new opportunity to #LightTheWorld.
“For example, Day one, which is Dec. 1, 2020, it is a giving Tuesday and we charge people to give like Jesus did. Use the day to give to the less priviledge.
“For each of the other days, there are also actions we encourage people to take to light up someone’s life.’’ he said.
Nkanang commended the media for the efforts in reporting events of COVID-19 and EndSARS protest through balanced reporting where facts and figures were given to the whole world to see.
Also, Christian Chigbundu, President of Area 70, represented by Asuquo Udobong , Stake President, Agege Stake, said that the true spirit of Christmas was in Jesus Christ’s injunction to love one another and impact positively like He did.
In his keynote address, Mr Onuoha Ukeh, the MD of the SUN Publishing Limited, said there was need to light the world because of the diverse challenges that presently abound.
“Looking at the phrase, “Light the World,” the impression one gets is that the world is in darkness.
“Yes, the world is in darkness. At a time we hear about fathers raping their female children and getting them pregnant. Mothers luring their male children to bed.
“Females getting involved in liaison. Women marrying women, men marrying each other and many other unusual things, it is obvious the world is in darkness.
“These days, people set their hearts to the things of this world and aspire to the honour of men .
“With all these, there is need for light therefore. Heavenly Father knew the importance of light. Light was one of the first things He created.’’
Ukeh said that light connotes holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, grace, hope and God’s revelation while darkness has been associated with evil, sin and despair.
According to him, the scriptures are replete with mention of the light and the light is often used to describe God and Jesus as the righteous energy in our world, hence the need for humanity to show forth light.
“Jesus said in John 12: 46: I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.
“Now knowing that Jesus is the Light. It means that when we worship God in truth and spirit, the light is in us.
“ When we are true followers of Jesus, the light is in us. Therefore, for us to Light the World, it means that we must do those things that Jesus did and preached,’’ he said.
Ukeh said that some of the ways to light the world would include putting God first in everything we do and showing gratitude to God for all the things He does for us.
“Also forgiving people as Jesus Christ admonished that we forgive one another, shunning evil, embracing righteousness as well as showing compassion and charity.
“We should choose right and shun evil. The Saviour taught the right things to do.
“Charity is important. We should be ready to render help. There are people we are better than,’’ he said.
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