Nowhere is Christmas magic felt more than in the home. And family holiday traditions are even more meaningful when they remind us of the true Light of the World: Jesus Christ.
To help your children or grandchildren experience the special spirit of the season, here is a festive way to bring Christmas cheer to your family’s home using light.
Light Your Home
Brighten your home with reverence and joy this year by setting up a Christmas lantern.
If you’re looking for a special gift for your loved ones, your family might appreciate the Love’s Pure Light Nativity Lantern by artist Kate Lee and The Spirit of Christmas Resin Nativity Lantern by artist Greg Olsen. These lanterns feature two-way switches, allowing you to illuminate the scene, listen to a Christmas song (“Silent Night” for Love’s Pure Light and “O Holy Night” for The Spirit of Christmas), and bring a cozy, Christ-filled spirit to your home.
Inspired by Olsen’s iconic painting, The Spirit of Christmas lantern features Santa Claus admiring a Nativity display. In this depiction, Santa gently holds a figure of the infant Savior, honoring the sacred Christ child and the holy night of His birth. The scene is enveloped in soft light and swirling snowflakes.
The Love’s Pure Light lantern, based on Lee’s Nativity painting, centers on a heartwarming sculpture of the Holy Family sharing the awe and wonder of Christ’s birth. Joseph tenderly cradles the infant Savior while Mary gestures lovingly toward them both, illustrating the faith, love, and hope that this season represents.
Whether displayed on your mantelpiece, used as a centerpiece for your holiday gatherings, or given as a cherished gift, these lanterns are beautiful symbols of the true meaning of Christmas.
If you prefer a do-it-yourself decoration, you also could make a Christmas luminary by tracing a Nativity or star stencil on the front of a brown or white paper bag, cutting out the design, and filling the bag with flour, sugar, or sand. To enjoy a glowing design, simply place an LED tea light candle in the bag and flip on the switch.
Start a Traveling Lantern Tradition
To spread the light in your home, you could start a tradition by passing the Christmas lantern or luminary between family members’ rooms.
Toward the beginning of December, set up the light in someone’s room and encourage them to look for ways another family member brings light to your home. When they notice a good deed, invite them to move the lantern to the other person’s room with a note about what they noticed.
Continue to relocate the lantern throughout your house until Christmas Eve, when you can place the lantern near a Nativity set or beside your tree. Finally, on Christmas Day, discuss what you learned about Christ’s light from observing your family’s service.
Read Together by the Light
Whenever you switch on the lantern, gather your children or grandchildren for a Christ-centered moment.
You could read some scripture verses about light, talking about how the Savior is a light in your family’s life. If you need ideas, here are a few verses to get started:
- “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).
- “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, 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).
- “Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do” (3 Nephi 18:24).
- “And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings; Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:11–12).
You could also read a Christmas book together by the lantern’s glow.
In The Spirit of Christmas book, which matches the lantern mentioned above, readers can join Santa as he reflects on the many reasons he loves Jesus. This cherished Christmas poem is ideal for families to read together to make Jesus Christ the focus of the season. Featuring masterful sketches and original artwork, the giftbook can remind your family of this special message: “That’s the Spirit of Christmas when all’s said and done, God’s gift of love, that came as His Son!”
Hear the artist read The Spirit of Christmas in the video below.
No matter how you celebrate the holiday season this year, we hope you find moments to focus on Christ and gather with loved ones. Merry Christmas!
“The Spirit of Christmas” Set
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▶ 16 Christmas gift ideas to help you connect with your ministering sisters
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