In 2012, the Mormons (a nickname sometimes used to describe members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) launched a Christmas initiative. This initiative is intended to remind Christians that Christmas is more than presents and parties, but is actually about the Savior Jesus Christ, family, and love.
The initiative includes a variety of methods for sharing that essential message, which often gets lost in the bustle and rush of the holiday season. In Times Square in New York City, a huge moving billboard offers several different Christmas messages to those hurrying by as they shop or go to work. Additional messages are appearing on buses and taxis. The location was chosen long ago and appealed to church leadership because it has visitors from around the world, and the Church is a world-wide church.
A special website has been set up to share the true meaning of Christmas. A red banner includes reminders of what Christmas really is. Clicking on the arrow on the left side of the banner takes you to a powerful video of the life of the Savior, a reminder that we have Christmas because of the events normally remembered at Easter. The atonement of Jesus Christ is the reason His life matters eternally to us.
A brief message below explains why Jesus Christ matters and offers links to a website that tells you more about the Savior and to a place to ask questions about Jesus Christ. You can request a free Bible in order to read the story for yourself or download apps that deliver high quality movie clips from the life of Jesus Christ as shown in the King James translation of the Bible.
Need some music? The site offers free downloads of Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas hymns. The site will also be offering free e-cards about the spiritual message of Christmas. If visitors would like to have missionaries come to their home to offer a brief Christmas message, they can sign up on the site. However, the primary purpose of the website and the initiative is to help put Christ back into Christmas.
At the bottom of the page, visitors are invited to share brief, respectful thoughts on the Savior’s life and our spiritual thoughts about the Christmas season. These are uplifting reading that can help us refocus our thoughts on the Savior.
Watch another Christmas video:
The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.
