#LIGHTtheWORLD Days 6 & 15

Christmas has come and gone. All that remains are empty boxes, trash cans full of wrapping paper, and many happy memories. I promise to write about those memories in a future post, but today I wanted to wrap up my thoughts on the #LIGHTtheWORLD campaign:

I truly believe that this campaign was inspired for this Christmas season. Following a tumultuous November, we needed a little hope and love in the world; Christ is the perfect antidote to fear, anger, and despair. Each day I read about the ways that He selflessly served, and I tried to implement the concepts of service into my daily activities and into my writings. I didn't blog about all 25 days, but I wrote as often as I could. I don't know if my service or my words have made a difference to anyone but myself. But I know that I grew closer to my Savior throughout December.

Here is a picture of me at Temple Square and my final thoughts about #LIGHTtheWORLD:

 

Day 6 - Jesus read the scriptures and so can you.

I have a lot of favorite scriptures. 2 Nephi 2:24 and 1 John 4:7-21 are two that always bring me comfort and inspire me.

However, a scripture that I have been reflecting on a lot recently is John 14:27. It reads:

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let your heart not be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

The peace Christ brings is different than anything the world can give. His peace is more than the absence of war or financial security. His peace is hope. His peace is joy. His peace is serenity. With Christ, we can feel peace even in the most dire of circumstances. We can feel peace during pain, through mistakes, and in our trials.

Quentin L. Cook gave a beautiful discourse on personal peace that you can read here.

Day 15 - Jesus worshiped through song and so can you.

In line with the theme of peace, I also have been drawn to the Christmas song "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow penned the lyrics after his wife died in a fire and his son was wounded at war.

Like Longfellow, we are no strangers to trials. At times, we may be tempted to become bitter and lose hope. We may give up on our quest for peace.

But Christmas is a reminder that the Prince of Peace exists. He came to earth, lived a perfect life, and atoned so that we might have peace.

I love music. Growing up, I took voice lessons, mastered the piano, participated in band, and danced. Music has always been a big part of my life. I believe that music speaks to our spirits, to our souls. We can come closer to the Savior and express our love for Him through song.

Here is my favorite version of "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." Merry Christmas.