The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Denton Congregations help ‘Light the World’
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by
Robbie Evans
Robbie EvansFeatured Image: Twelve Latter-day Saint missionaries share information about Light the World at the 31st Denton Holiday Lighting Festival in December 2019. Photo courtesy of Robbie Evans
The Denton Texas Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined millions worldwide to ‘Light the World’. Light the World is an invitation by the Church to transform Christmas into a season of service.
The Church’s invitation, in part, reads: “Join us as we follow the example of Jesus Christ by ministering to others one by one—just like He did.”
While participation in ‘Light the World’ is often individual, the members of the Denton Stake congregations joined together to serve their communities in a number of ways so far this month.
On December 5, 2019, the Gainesville Latter-day Saint congregation participated in their city’s Christmas parade through a ‘Light the World’ float with a nativity scene theme, while missionaries gave away over 200 #LighttheWorld tea lights.
The Denton Stake also participated in the 31st Denton Holiday Lighting Festival. This festival, which thousands attend every year, was established in 1988 to fund lights through donations for the courthouse trees. The volunteer-driven community event has continued to grow and become a beloved area tradition with live entertainment by local musicians and dancers, horse-drawn carriage ride, Santa, Nativities, food, and a wassail competition.
The Church hosted a booth with beautiful Christmas decorations, a photo booth with a ‘Light the world’ sign in both English and Spanish and passed out 700 prelit #LighttheWorld tea lights. Twelve Latter-day Saint missionaries were on hand to talk about how everyone can help ‘Light the World’ with kindness and service to others this Christmas season and beyond. The Church’s beautifully decorated free photo booth was a crowd favorite with many commenting, “It’s just so beautiful.”
The Decatur Ward and other individual congregations are also supporting their cities’ Christmas lighting plans.
Visit ‘Light the World’ for ideas of how you can participate. It’s never too late to Light the World!
Watch this space to read about how others in North Texas, individually and as groups, are Lighting the World this holiday season.
