Light the World

[halconero]

Is anyone else finding this Christmas Campaign by the Church to be absolutely fantastic? What a great Advent Calendar, with awesome suggestions. It's been a great way to dematerialize the season and focus on the love, charity and service taught by Christ. I've found it also to be one of the best missionary tools as well. I had an ex-member friend post how they wanted to celebrate Christmas, but were finding it too materialistic. I pointed to the Light the World calendar, which has both secular and religious ways to celebrate the day of the month via acts of service. She, another less-active friend, and several others loved the idea, printed off copies for themselves, and are following along.

[sjdawg]

I've actually found it a little annoying.  The idea of the month of acts of service is great but I hate the flooding of social media.   (not doing your alms before men).  

Edited December 11, 2016 by sjdawg

[halconero]

Eh, there's not doing your alms before men versus encouraging publicly for men to do their alms. Remember that the verse where the campaign comes from specifically says that as the light of the world the hope is that men see our good works and emulate them. Context is everything.

[bluebell]

4 minutes ago, sjdawg said:

I've actually found it a little annoying.  The idea of the month of acts of service is great but I hate the flooding of social media.   (not doing your alms before men).  

How is sharing opportunities to be more Christ centered in December doing alms?  

 

[sjdawg]

1 minute ago, bluebell said:

How is sharing opportunities to be more Christ centered in December doing alms?  

 

I've seen less posts sharing opportunities than I have doing what I would categorize as boasting about things that have been done.   Perhaps my feed is not reflective of the majority.

[bluebell]

16 hours ago, sjdawg said:

I've seen less posts sharing opportunities than I have doing what I would categorize as boasting about things that have been done.   Perhaps my feed is not reflective of the majority.

I understand what you mean now.  Thanks for clarifying.

[Rain]

19 hours ago, sjdawg said:

I've seen less posts sharing opportunities than I have doing what I would categorize as boasting about things that have been done.   Perhaps my feed is not reflective of the majority.

I've found such a thin line between lighting a candle and doing alms before men.  As the Just Serve specialist for my stake I need to help others to serve and find projects to work on.  With a charity I worked with I needed to promote the charity so it could be known.  But how do you do you promote things and be a light at the same time you are doing your alms in secret?

The last time I visited the wards in our stake I thought of all the stories that encourage people to involved.  We have to face it that often we can say,  "serve, because that is what you are supposed to do" or some variation on that theme, but people are not always intuitive on how to serve and others just don't have that fire. I've found stories help others see it is not too hard, give them reasons to see they can make a difference etc.  So how do I get people past the fear of doing alms before men so that others will see the light? How do I get them to share stories that will get them to try Just Serve? I looked up the two ideas in the scriptures.

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven."

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"Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” 

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Notice the difference: to be seen of men verses helping others glorify God. 

There is nothing wrong with sharing the good one does.  The problem is the attitude that may go with it.  

Once I realized this I started to check my heart to make sure why I would be sharing some service I did.  If I didn't have a righteous reason for sharing I wouldn't.  If I did I would go ahead and share - usually the reason was to encourage others or to explain how things work.  

Years ago there were some bloggers that started 12 days\ 30 days etc of random acts of kindness. It was a popular thing. I got excited to do the things.  After a bit I felt uncomfortable because so many blogs were doing it that it began to feel like bragging.  I realized after awhile that most were probably not bragging,  but the abundance of it gave me that wrong impression.  They were just trying to encourage others to do it as well.  

So that's where I stand on Light the World now. Love what I am seeing,  but be aware of abundance wrong impressions before sharing.

_____________

I really like Light the World, but I wish people would quit calling it 25 days of service. That is a great idea,  but Light the World encompasses more than service. It also has worship, gratitude, forgiveness etc. You could technically call some of the things service to God, but I think that you may miss things if you only think of this as service thing.  That doesn't mean this is better than 25 days of service,  just a little different focus. 

 

I have no idea why this text is now getting centered. 

Edited December 11, 2016 by Rain

[Avatar4321]

I like it. It's a good reminder to focus on the Savior