SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has launched an initiative that they expect to reach millions of people around the globe, and the message they are sending is: “A Savior is Born.”
The YouTube video above forms the centerpiece of the initiative, which has its home at a new Christmas web page from the LDS Church.
According to a press release from the LDS Church, the video “A Savior Is Born–Christmas Video” is available in 29 different languages and was shot in locations including Israel, Los Angeles, New York and Utah. Various children from around the world quote passages from Isaiah as well as from Handel’s “Messiah” relating to the story of Jesus Christ’s birth.
“We live in a world where the power and influence of God in our daily lives are downplayed and dismissed and where the need for a Savior is ignored and even mocked,” said Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the December issue of the LDS Church’s Ensign and New Era magazines. “For those who are devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, there has never been a greater need for us to profess our faith in our Savior, privately and publicly.”
Another video released as part of the campaign is titled “Why we need a Savior — A Christmas message about our Savior Jesus Christ. #ASaviorIsBorn” The video asks the viewer to, “Imagine a world without a savior.”
The LDS Church states the campaign will also include content built for sharing on various social media sites, like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+ and Instagram. There will be 25 animated .GIFs creating a countdown until Christmas, and those participating are encouraged to use the hashtag #ASaviorIsBorn.
In New York City, visitors to Times Square will see billboards and videoboards promoting Christmas messages in prominent locations, as well as on top of 400 taxis traveling around the city. © 2015 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved
There will also be billboards in New York City’s Times Square as well as in cities like Salt Lake City, St. George, Idaho Falls, Los Angeles and Mexico City. LDS Church visitors’ centers in the United States and select locations worldwide will feature special “A Savior Is Born” displays.
The month-long initiative is the work of the LDS Church’s Missionary Department, and LDS Church missionaries will be distributing “pass-along” cards in 29 languages.
Elder Brent H. Nielson, executive director of the Missionary Department stated: “During the Christmas season, the thoughts of millions of people around the world are turned to the birth of Jesus Christ. We have a special opportunity to declare our belief in Christ, celebrate His birth, and invite others to come unto Him at this time of year.”
Click here for the press release announcing the initiative, and click here to visit the Christmas website.
