Global Efforts Continue to Light the World in 2024

Every December, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites everyone to Light the World in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. As part of this initiative, everyone is invited to serve, love and act as the Savior would. This year’s theme is “Be Someone’s Angel.” 

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke at the season’s launch event in Salt Lake City, Utah: “Just as angels declared words of great joy at His birth, we too in our own small way, gift by gift, can be angels in the lives of others as we extend the love of Jesus Christ to people near and far, and as we proclaim a witness of the Savior of the world.”  

Here are ways areas around the globe have started to Light the World this Christmas Season.

London Landmark Illuminates

On November 13, images of Christ and the Nativity story were projected onto the County Hall building next to the London Eye to launch Light the World in Europe. This event was highlighted in the Church of Jesus Christ’s official Light the World video for 2024.

Kristin M. Yee, Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, who was at the event, said, “Together, let us Light the World this season by bringing the Savior’s love, light and relief to those around us.”

A Concert to Celebrate Christ in Ghana

The Christiansborg meetinghouse in Accra, Ghana, was filled on November 22, 2024, as community members gathered for the Miracle of Christmas concert, marking the joyful launch of West Africa’s Light the World campaign.

Dignitaries and local leaders — including Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, a member of Ghana’s parliament — attended the celebration. In her remarks, Agyeman-Rawlings highlighted the need for peace and unity among all God’s children. Tamara W. Runia of the Young Women General Presidency and Tracy Y. Browning of the Primary General Presidency also attended and turned on the lights ceremoniously around the Accra Ghana Temple compound.  

Filling Homes with Food in Africa

On November 30, missionaries gathered in the gym of the Missionary Training Center in Accra, Ghana, to assemble bags of food for distribution as part of Ghana’s efforts to spread the Light of Christ.

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In the following days, nearly 1,400 families and individuals in Accra received bags of food including essentials like rice, oil, gari and beans.

Latter-day Saints also traveled outside the city to the rural community of Asaam on December 14, going door-to-door to ensure food was delivered to those in need. One woman burst into tears, saying, “I now know Jesus Christ loves me and thinks about me in my corner.”

In Liberia, members of the Church of Jesus Christ donated food to members of the National Union of Organizations for the Disabled (NUOD) on December 5. President of the NUOD, Peter Flomo, expressed his deep gratitude. “Thank you to the [Latter-day Saints] for coming to our aid at this time,” he said. “There are not [many] words to say, ‘Thank you,’ but our faces today can tell you [how grateful] we are to you for this donation.” 

Delivering Hope to Areas of Disaster in Japan

A destructive earthquake hit the Noto Peninsula in Japan on January 1, 2024. The area is still recovering.

On December 7, Latter-day Saint volunteers from across the country gathered in Nanao and Wajima to further help residents in any way they could.

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Many tasks involved moving collapsed blocks, shoveling mud and debris and helping remove and sort items from uninhabitable homes.

Since the disaster, nearly 1,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have volunteered in areas affected by the earthquake, donating at least 6,000 hours to aid their neighbors. 

“The suffering of those affected by the disaster is immeasurable, but I hope that the local people will feel this selfless love, find comfort and one day come to know the Lord who is their Savior,” said Kanazawa Stake President Tatsuya Yoshida, a regional Church leader. “This is the Lord’s work.”

Joining in Song with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra

On December 7, at New Zealand’s historic Auckland Town Hall, Latter-day Saints and other performers joined the Auckland Symphony Orchestra in songs of praise and joy to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi, General Authority Seventy, attended the concert with friends and family. “I believe the angels in heaven rejoice when we on earth gather to sing and play sacred songs, heralding the birth of Jesus Christ,” he said. “Together, we are sharing good tidings of great joy and helping share Jesus Christ’s light around the world.”

Community Concerts in South Korea

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On December 1 and 15, members of the Church in Seoul, South Korea, hosted performances of Handel’s Messiah for anyone in the community to enjoy. Many audience members expressed their admiration for the powerful message conveyed through the performance.

Serving Neighbors in Need in Peru

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Outside many cities in Peru are settlements plagued by poverty and difficult circumstances, often without running water or electricity. Across Peru, members of the Church of Jesus Christ provided light and support to these communities. 

On December 7, more than 50 young adult volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ provided chocolate, toys and musical entertainment for the children of the Nuevo Chimbote settlement.

Latter-day Saints also delivered candy, gifts and a message of faith to 70 children at an orphanage in Bellavista, Peru on December 7. Jesenia Palomino, a teacher at the orphanage, was touched by how happy her students were. “Seeing their illuminated faces filled me with joy,” she said. “Today, I confirmed that following the example of the Savior in serving the little ones is the greatest gift for the soul.”

On Monday, December 9, Latter-day Saints in Peru provided breakfast to those living in the settlements around Chincha.

Live Nativity in Australia

Near the Adelaide Australia Temple, Latter-day Saints held a Night in Bethlehem event, including a community picnic and a theatrical presentation of the Nativity story on December 7. 

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Attendees also donated generously to support Foodbank SA & NT, the largest food relief organization in the region.

“Your generosity will put food on the table for those who need it most this Christmas,” a Foodbank representative said.

1000 miles away, on Australia’s Gold Coast, members and friends of the Church participated in another Night in Bethlehem Light the World Christmas community event. Attendees visited stalls and participated in activities that helped them learn what it may have been like to live in or visit Bethlehem over 2000 years ago.

A Day of Service in Mexico

Members of the Church in Mexico designated December 7, 2024, as a day of service. Thousands of people across the country participated. Activities included painting schools, cleaning parks, visiting care homes, collecting clothing and food donations and maintaining public squares.

Giving Machines Worldwide

An iconic part of the Light the World initiative is the Light the World Giving Machines, which are in more places than ever this Christmas season. The big red vending machines can be found in 107 locations in 13 countries across five continents, including Africa, which received its first machines in 2024.

Giving Machines are charitable vending machines sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church covers all operational expenses to ensure that participating nonprofit organizations receive 100% of the collected funds.  

Since launching in 2017, the machines have facilitated the donation of millions of items and services. Last year alone, US$10.4 million worth of items were donated.  

Here is a look at many of the Giving Machine operations worldwide.  

Giving Machines Arrive in Africa

For years, thousands of donations — including livestock, beehives and tuition — have made their way to Africa through Giving Machines. However, it wasn’t until November 2024 that Africa got its own Giving Machine.

On November 30, 2024, the first Giving Machines on the African continent were launched in Nairobi, Kenya, at Sarit — the busiest mall in East Africa.   

Sarit Shah, owner and CEO of Sarit, was excited to welcome the machines. “The Giving Machines represent something truly extraordinary,” he said. “They offer each of us a simple yet profound way to give back — whether it’s through providing farming animals, food, clothing, educational supplies or medical aid to those in need.”  

The machines will be available until January 15, 2025.

Hong Kong Celebrates Its First Machine  

The New Town Plaza at Sha Tin is now the home to the first Giving Machine in Hong Kong.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 15, 2024, emphasizing the Church’s commitment to community outreach.

“This project, together with many other [projects] we have, is something to show the world that we are really a Church [that] reaches out to everyone,” said Elder Uchtdorf.

Most Giving Machines feature local charities, allowing people to impact their community directly. Five local charities are participating in Hong Kong.

Digital Machines in New Zealand

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2024 saw the launch of Giving Machines in new areas, as well as a new type of machine. For the first time, digital vending machines are available in a few locations, including in New Zealand.

The new digital machines operate like large smartphones and introduce enhanced features. For example, users can access online information about different charities and fill a shopping cart with items they wish to donate.

These machines are also mobile and will be moved to three locations across New Zealand.

Birthplace of Joseph Smith Now Home to a Giving Machine

For the first time in Sharon, Vermont, Giving Machines have been set up at the birthplace of Joseph Smith, the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On November 29, the Giving Machines were unveiled as Christmas lights were ceremoniously turned on.

Giving Machines are a core part of the Church of Jesus Christ’s Light the World initiative, helping send hope and love to those who need it.

“It reminds us that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World and that He always asked us to think of those that stand in need and to care for those that stand in need,” said Elder Mathias Held of the Quorum of the Seventy. 

This machines will be operational December 20–30, 2024.

777 Challenge Accepted in California

Did you know that you can purchase one of every item in a Giving Machine by entering “777”? On December 3, at a Giving Machine event in Dana Point, California, Tony Smith, CEO and co-founder of Restaurant365, accepted the 777 Challenge with his family.  

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“The Giving Machine is an incredible way to help support people in need in our local community and beyond,” Smith said. “At Restaurant365 we believe firmly in building our community and do so through various charitable avenues. The fact that 100 percent of the donation goes directly to the charity is very unique, and [it’s] wonderful to know every penny will be used to lift someone who needs it.”  

Giving Tuesday in Indiana

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December 3 was Giving Tuesday in the United States. It’s a day focused on giving to those in need. Many Giving Machine locations held events on Giving Tuesday, including in Indianapolis, Indiana. Allison Crockett attended the event and purchased 20 books to donate through the Giving Machine. “I love literacy,” she said. “I’m teaching my daughter Bridget to read right now, and I just love the thought of literacy going out into the world.” 

Giving Machines Expand in Hawaii

Every year, more Giving Machines are introduced, and with this year’s additions, there are now four across the islands of Hawaii. “For the first time since its inception, the Giving Machine initiative has quadrupled its contribution stations and expanded its reach by collaborating with 18 charities across Hawaii this year,” said Mufi Hannemann, coordinator of the Giving Machines in Hawaii. Machines are in Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo, Whalers Village in Lahaina, and the Ala Moana Center and the Polynesian Cultural Center in Oahu.  

This year Giving Machines have also launched in locations such as New York’s Times Square and Utah in the United States, the Philippines, Guatemala and even North Pole, Alaska.

Click here to find your nearest Giving Machine and to see a complete list of the global charities involved.

For ideas on how to Light the World this Christmas, visit LighttheWorld.org.