LDS Church releases Christmas videos


Save Story

Show 1 more video

Leer en español

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — Two new Christmas videos became available Sunday for LDS Church members, missionaries and everyone else. It is an international social media effort titled, "A Savior is Born."

The images are beautiful and compelling as children around the world share the good news — a Savior is born. They speak in the Holy Land of the true meaning of Christmas using the words of Handel's "Messiah" and Old Testament scriptures in this year's Christmas video from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Greg Droubay, media director for the Missionary Department, said when we think of Christmas, we think of the Christ child and all children.

"It was a beautiful setting to be in the location, first of all, where the Savior was born and spent his mortal ministry," Droubay said. "But to film children there in that unique location, from around the world, was an inspiring thing."

Elder Brent H. Nielson, executive director of the Missionary Department, said it's the perfect way to send an enduring truth.

"God's children all around the world, no matter what culture they're from, need a Savior, and that his message is for everyone," Elder Nielson said.

In years past, nearly 75 million people have viewed LDS Church videos. This time, the hope is to build on that success.

"We take very seriously the Savior's charge to take the gospel to all nations, kindreds, tongues and people and by using this video, we're able to reach millions of people in 150 different countries," Elder Nielson said.

The video is available in 29 languages. The faith's more than 80,000 missionaries will now be able to add it to their teaching materials.

A second Christmas animation video begins with the concept of what the world would be like without a Savior. The message here, Droubay said, is timeless, that all people need to remember that "he was born to change all hearts, end all goodbyes, reconcile all debts, atone for all sins. … This is why we celebrate."

"Whether it was those who associated with him or the world that we live in today, there's so much worry and concern and fear and even death at times. His gift to the world, that started with his birth, is just as important to us today as it was 2,000 years ago," Droubay said.

Besides social media, the Christmas campaign is already visible on billboards throughout the state of Utah, in New York City's Times Square and on 400 taxi toppers throughout that city. And the church will have these videos in visitors centers throughout the world, like London and Mexico City, where visitors can also pick up table toppers to take home with them.

In a busy and hectic, and for some, a difficult season, Elder Nielson says church leaders believe they will provide comfort.

"Our hope is that this will bring peace and happiness to people as they actually celebrate the very first gift of Christmas, which is the Savior Jesus Christ," Elder Nielson said.

The videos premiered Tuesday and are available to everyone on Christmas.mormon.org.

Related stories

Most recent Features stories

Carole Mikita

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast