As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have been challenged to be lights to the world:

“Ye are the light of the world … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.

How can you let your light shine? It is natural and easy to give during this season of service. There are drives to gather food, coats, toys, toiletries, pajamas and other items to help those in need. It is a miracle to see community members come together to love and share.

My wife and I recently participated in the Feeding Farmville efforts to share meals with hundreds of households throughout our area. Over 600 volunteers from 40 churches came together to make this program a reality. As delivery volunteers, we played a relatively small part, but the joy and gratitude in the faces of those whom we visited and prayed with was priceless.

Our Savior, Jesus of Nazareth, “went about doing good” Acts 10:38. Likewise, we can let our light shine and go about doing good, not just at Christmastime, but throughout the year.

We can begin by feeding or rekindling the fire of faith in our own hearts. Through prayerful study of the scriptures and regular worship, we draw closer to God and are better prepared to receive direction through the Holy Ghost.

We can be a light in our families, bringing smiles to the faces of children and grandparents alike. Gifts are great, but more importantly, we can share of our time, and we can forgive.

We can be a light in our community. The FACES food pantry is always in need of donations and volunteers, Thursdays to pack meals and for Saturday distribution, at their new location at 482 Commerce Road in Farmville. There are many other food pantries, including the Alms House in Burkeville, which similarly rely on donations from community members.

In seeking after Jesus, may we be like the shepherds, who “came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” Luke 2:16.

Blessings abound for following Christ’s charge to be lights to the world.

As Elder Ulisses Soares, Apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has promised: “Following our Master’s footsteps and waiting on Him who is the ultimate healer of our lives will provide rest to our souls and make our burdens easy and light.”

All are welcome to a very special Christ-centered worship service at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22, with the Sandy River Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 400 Sixth St., in Burkeville. You can light the world!

For more information on feeling our Savior’s love in your own life, and how you can share His light with others each and every day of the year, visit http://www.lighttheworld.org.

BRENT ROBERTS is the Elders Quorum President in the Sandy River Branch, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Dean of Greenwood Library at Longwood University. He can be reached at brentsroberts@hotmail.com.