The 2022 Light the World initiative focused on sharing light and being kind Dec. 1-25. And members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their neighbors and friends responded all over the globe.

In this year’s video, titled “The World Needs Your Light,” the narrator said: “Jesus taught His followers, ‘Ye are the light of the world.’ And it’s time to let your light shine.”

Through daily prompts, Giving Machine donations, cultural celebrations, service projects and daily acts of kindness, people blessed each others’ lives and found uplift in their own lives as well.

Giving Machines

The Light the World Giving Machines opened in 28 locations this year and expanded to include traveling versions. The vending-like machines allowed participants to buy something for someone else in need through the help of nonprofit organizations.

As of Dec. 15, more than 101,000 donations were made globally, reported ChurchofJesusChrist.org. These are some of the items purchased:

• 7.3 million water-purification tablets.
• More than 1 million meals.
• 197,300 polio vaccines.
• More than 18,600 chickens.
• About 1,700 beehives.
• More than 80 water pumps.

Since the first Giving Machine appeared in 2017, total contributions have reached $15 million. The Church covers all operational costs, ensuring that 100% of every donation goes to the charitable causes. Donations to Giving Machines continue through Jan. 2, 2023, and are also accepted online at LightTheWorld.org/give.

Official Light the World Facebook page

This was the first year the Church sponsored an official Light the World Facebook group, which grew to 33,200 members by Christmas Day. People shared traditions, service projects, music, memories and moments with the hashtag #LightTheWorld.

Africa

Young men and young women dancers perform at the Light the World kickoff for the Africa West Area in Cape Coast, Ghana, Nov. 30, 2022.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Throughout the Church’s Africa Central Area, people took part in a wide variety of humanitarian projects as part of the Light the World initiative this December. 

The services range from providing critical supplies to orphanages, hospitals and prisons to maintaining schools, public restrooms and drainage systems.

Similar service projects in the Africa South Area kicked off with programs full of song. While in the Africa West Area, Church and community leaders held a food donation event.

Asia

A vocal duet featuring traditional costumes perform a Primary song during the Asia Area Christmas Devotional, which premiered Dec. 17, 2022.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

To teach people about the birth of Christ — the true reason for celebrating Christmas — and motivate them to think about ways to follow His example, the Church’s Asia Area premiered its first-ever online Christmas devotional on Saturday, Dec. 17. 

The 50-minute devotional features the rich cultures, languages and testimonies of Asia with video presentations from nine locations: Singapore, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Taiwan. 

Europe

The Europe Central and Europe North areas produced a 2022 Christmas concert titled “Witnesses of Christmas: Symbols of Christ” to celebrate the birth of the Savior.

The concert had a little bit of everything, beginning with 12 popular European musical artists featured in 10 performances.

Meanwhile, diplomats from 40 countries joined Latter-day Saints at the kickoff for a monthlong International Nativity Exhibit hosted at the Church’s London Hyde Park Chapel.

Caribbean

Latter-day Saints in Puerto Rico held a Light the World cultural celebration not only to celebrate the birth of the Savior but also to look forward to the new temple in San Juan, which will be dedicated in January.

The show centered on six characters in different circumstances, who, through prayer, asked God to help them find solutions and share light with others. Music and dance groups were interspersed through each scene. 

Central America

Youth and leaders participate in the Light the World campaign in Managua, Nicaragua, in December 2022.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Members of the Church in the Central America Area have been participating in various ways in the Light the World initiative this month.

Members of five stakes in Managua, Nicaragua, organized efforts to collect food and personal hygiene items to share with two community centers, for the elderly and for children and youth; and a children’s hospital in early December.

In San Salvador, El Salvador, on Dec. 8, members of the Church held a dinner and program for government officials, diplomatic corps and representatives of El Salvador’s main radio and television media to promote the Light the World initiative.  

And Church leaders in several areas of Honduras recognized community organizations with Light the World awards in December.

South America

Hundreds of people watch a cultural event of songs and folk dances to launch the Light the World initiative in Paipa, Colombia, Dec. 3, 2022.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Balloons, lights and decorations filled the Pantano de Vargas, a historic site in Paipa, Colombia, on Dec. 3 for a musical Christmas program to launch the Light the World initiative in the country.

In Ecuador, songs and dances were part of a Light the World event on Dec. 9 in Guayaquil. Traditions and cultures of the different regions of Ecuador were represented through folkloric dances.

Stakes around Peru held a light parade, concerts and several service projects to celebrate Light the World all month.

Pacific

Sister Leonie-Rose Whaanga and Sister Ashtyn Giles tie red ribbons around trees in Christchurch, New Zealand, in December 2022.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Full-time missionaries of the Church joined a local family to decorate neighborhood streets in Christchurch, New Zealand. They tied red ribbons and bows around trees in the community for the Christmas season.

Meanwhile, young single adults of the Church in Auckland, New Zealand, spent two weekends sorting food and clothing and created care packages, reported the Church’s New Zealand Newsroom.

United States and Canada

Latter-day Saints and Muslims joined in a food-packaging service activity in Ontario, Canada.

Nativity events and festivals drew tens of thousands of visitors to local stake centers, including in Bellevue, Washington, and Midland, Michigan. In Rancho Santa Margarita, California, Church members and their neighbors performed a living Nativity for the 25th year.

Church members in Hemet, California, were invited to take part in a Christmas parade. Latter-day Saints portrayed the Nativity aboard a 60-foot yacht for the Newport Beach (California) Christmas Boat Parade.

A light display and international Christmas trees were on display at the Oakland California Temple and Visitors’ Center. Christmas lights returned to the Mesa Arizona Temple after a five-year hiatus. Nativities from around the world were on display in the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors’ Center.