The Church’s new Christmas video, “A Savior Is Born,” has been viewed and shared millions of times this season. As of Friday, Dec. 11, the video had more than 35 million views worldwide, and more than 2.5 million people had visited christmas.mormon.org.
As part of the Church’s 2015 Christmas initiative, leaders encouraged Latter-day Saints to view and share the video beginning Nov. 29 and then invite others to learn more about Jesus Christ by visiting christmas.mormon.org.
“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,” said Elder Brent H. Nielson of the Seventy and executive director of the Church’s missionary department. “The Christmas season is an ideal time for members and missionaries to invite all to learn more about the Savior Jesus Christ.”
The worldwide multimedia initiative for the 2015 Christmas season focuses on the importance of the Savior’s birth and includes the following elements:
• “A Savior Is Born” video
• Updated christmas.mormon.org website, featuring shareable content on the importance and mission of Jesus Christ
• Pass-along cards, posters and other materials available for member and missionary use at mormon.org/download
• Shareable content on Church social media pages, including Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram and YouTube
In addition to the video, christmas.mormon.org has other resources that help explain the importance and mission of Jesus Christ.
• An animated video called “A World without a Savior” that explains how the birth of the Savior blesses us in our everyday lives (available only in English, Spanish, and Portuguese)
• An advent calendar of 8– to 10-second animations (gifs) that tells the story of Jesus’ birth from the New Testament and Isaiah 9:6
• Inspirational picture quotes (memes) that can be downloaded and shared on social media using #ASaviorIsBorn
• Three downloadable “Print and Share” posters that can be printed, filled out and shared using #ASaviorIsBorn
The video and website are available in 29 languages. Through Jan. 2, advertisements on billboards in Times Square in New York City and atop taxis will share the message that members of the Church love, believe and follow Jesus Christ.
In addition, the public is viewing billboards in Salt Lake City and St. George, Utah; Idaho Falls, Idaho; Los Angeles, California; and Mexico City. Church visitors’ centers in the United States, Mexico City, Hyde Park in London, the London Temple and the Hamilton New Zealand Temple have “A Savior Is Born” displays where guests can watch the video during the Christmas season.
Last December’s “He Is the Gift” initiative focused on Heavenly Father’s love as demonstrated in the sacred gift of Jesus Christ. The Church reached millions of people worldwide through its social media efforts, displays in visitors’ centers, member and missionary tools, online paid promotion, and outdoor advertising in New York City’s Times Square.
The video alone received more than 33.8 million views (in 20 languages) by the end of the campaign. This year’s video surpassed last years total, with two weeks left in the campaign.
sarah@deseretnews.com @SJW_ChurchNews