Behind the scenes of the 2024 Light the World video

Millions of people have viewed the new 2024 Light the World video, “A Worldwide Celebration of Jesus Christ’s Birth,” from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The video is a way to feel the true spirit of Christmas, said Elder W. Mark Bassett, General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Missionary Department.

“The true spirit of Christmas is the love of Jesus Christ. His love transcends all boundaries — physical, cultural or any other. Beginning with His sacred birth and throughout His life, Christ exemplified all that love is,” Elder Bassett said.

Each year, the Church’s Light the World initiative invites all to serve and act as Christ would. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Elder Matthew S. Holland, a General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Communication Department, said, “It is remarkable to see so many beautiful moments come from those who are following the example of the Savior during this special time of year. They are each adding light that reflects the life of Jesus Christ and in turn blessing so many neighborhoods and communities around the world.”

Last year’s efforts to light the world included a powerful moment in Times Square in New York City when all the billboards went dark and then projected the Nativity scene and Light the World imagery around the iconic location at once.

Comments on the video on the Church’s social media feeds showed that people were particularly drawn to the images of the angels — and how they were of all ages and ethnicities. People saw angels that looked like them.

For 2024, Church leaders chose a theme for Light the World that encourages individuals to “Be someone’s angel.”

Elder Bassett said everyone can reach out and be there for someone. “This is the underlying meaning and purpose of Light the World. Jesus Christ is the light we can each hold up in the world’s darkness, and we can do so by lifting and serving those around us,” he said.

Klane Harding works as a creative director on the project and said the Church’s goal for the video and the initiative is to connect people with Jesus Christ.

“The angels were there at His birth proclaiming it and telling the shepherds. They also proclaim the gospel around the world. But the gospel and the message that they are sharing is that of the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s always ending back at the focus on our Savior and Redeemer.”

Just as angels proclaimed good tidings to the shepherds, people can share the Light of Christ by acting like His angels and doing what He would do.

‘Jesus can be found in places big and small’

The story behind this year’s Light the World video includes almost a year of inspiration, planning and work.

The video includes scenes captured from diverse locations around the world. The Church’s area offices helped find the right places to film in order to help show the global nature of the Savior’s reach and of His restored Church.

The video starts in a small town in Mexico, where children are playing soccer and images from the Nativity are on the wall beside them — baby Jesus in a manger and angels in the heavens.

LJ Johansson, who worked on the filming, said the town was quite tiny and a long drive from the nearest airport. The team mounted posters of the Savior’s birth on the walls along the well-worn brick road. As they worked, people who lived nearby came by and stopped to watch before filming began.

“They were clearly having this emotional moment with it as we were still just setting it up. It was a good reminder to me that Jesus can be found in places big and small, as big as Times Square and as small as this little alley,” she said.

Next, the video moves to London, England, where the Nativity scenes are projected on County Hall — the Thames River showing the reflection of the shepherds, stars and wise men. People look up in awe as the light emanates from angels and Mary.

Sister Kristin M. Yee, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, was there on Nov. 13 when the images were projected at the historic location.

“It’s been magical. It’s been beautiful,” she said. “There’s a feeling of peace here, too, because we’re talking about Christ. We’re talking about the Savior and His light, and we’re doing it in a way that others can be a part of. And that’s the peace that comes from Him.”

Seven-year-old Nina Campione went to the event with her family and said, “I saw Jesus Christ. I saw Mary with her baby, baby Jesus.”

Eleven-year-old Beatriz Campione said it was inspiring: “I love how the Church did this so everyone can see.”

Added 16-year-old Ricardo Campione, “It’s beautiful. It’s amazing. It’s hard to describe how much you can feel the Spirit.”

In the video, similar scenes are portrayed in Sydney, Australia, and Tokyo, Japan, and other cities as the Light the World images are projected in public places. Many people take out their phones to record the moment.

Emily Kwok, from the Sydney Australia North Stake, was at the filming by Sydney Harbour — calling it “tender and heartwarming” to see the depiction of the life of Christ in such a way.

“The images beautifully captured our Savior as the Light of the world,” she said.

The filming took place on a cool evening, and the temperature dropped into the night. “This was a sweet contrast to the sense of warmth we felt as we viewed the images of Christ,” Kwok said.

April Cook of the Tokyo Japan South Stake arrived early for the filming in one of the Tokyo locations. She remembers standing on the street in front of a pharmacy, not knowing quite what to expect but wanting to be there for every minute of it.

She was talking with a friend, and suddenly, the video of Jesus Christ’s birth started.

“It was exciting to see a story I so dearly love filling the screen in the bustling city of Tokyo. I took out my camera as did others. There were so many people watching the screen and video taping what was happening that others stopped along their way to see what we were watching,” Cook said.

The corner filled with more people — some stopped momentarily, some lingered. Her friend told her how happy she was to be there and see it.

“The story of Jesus Christ is the greatest story ever told,” Cook said. “I am so happy I had the opportunity to be present for His story to be shared in a city I love.”

Those who worked on the filming saw how everyday angels helped in the making of the video — people who stopped what they were doing to help during filming and editing or who were in the right place at the right time.

‘Joy to the World’

A composition of the hymn “Joy to the World” plays during the video — bright, warm and inspiring.

Church President Russell M. Nelson has testified that the message of the gospel is one of joy. Harding said that message steered the creative team this year as they proposed music for the video’s soundtrack.

“It is such a refreshing message in the world of Christianity to be able to say that ‘men are, that they might have joy’ (2 Nephi 2:25); that we as His angels can actually spread joy to the world.”

The video also points people back to the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmastime — reminding them that He is the reason for all the festivities and celebrations and songs. It is the greatest story ever told.

The video and its message are for the whole world, Johansson said.

“This is something we are making not just for our members but for anybody who is looking or seeking Jesus Christ during the Christmas season,” she said.

Said Elder Bassett, ”In our own small way and in our own part of the world, we can help spread a little light by loving as the Savior of the world loved.”

For more information and resources for this year’s Light the World initiative, see LightTheWorld.org.