The Heart of Christmas on DVD

| |

I was recently given the opportunity to see the movie The Heart of Christmas.

SYNOPSIS
THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS, set in Washington, Illinois at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, tells the story of Dax Ryan Locke, who was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 13 months old. Told in flashback from the perspective of his mother Megan, a successful businesswoman, the storyline unfolds when her commitment to faith and family is renewed after reading a spiritual blog. After neglecting her family due to her business commitments, Megan is stunned to find hundreds of homes lit up for Christmas on Halloween. Confused by this scene, Megan is moved to learn that her neighbors Mark and Trish have rallied the community to bring Christmas holiday cheer to the Locke family upon Dax’s final return home from St. Jude. Dax’s father Austin is deeply concerned about Dax’s prognosis but optimistic and open to new forms of treatment. During their hospital stay they meet others facing the same situation who encourage them to blog about their journey. We also meet the team of incredible doctors who provide great care but are ultimately unsuccessful in curing Dax’s cancer. Determined to give Dax one last Christmas, Austin surprises Julie and Dax with a Christmas tree – even though it’s October. The neighbors quickly catch on and surprise the Lockes by showing up at their home to give Dax, his family, and the community at large a magical night to remember.

The fact that the movie is based on a true story and that part of the proceeds from the DVD purchase goes towards St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital makes this a must-see.  The storyline is one that will touch your heart, make you smile, make you cry and cause you to truly appreciate your own life and children more.  Although I can’t say the acting was award winning drama I do believe it made a great Christmas movie.

This movie really hit home for me for many reasons.  When Gabby first went into the hospital for her Hemispherectomy it was a very scary time for us.  I felt lost and confused, alone…  The mother of Dax starts a blog to keep their family and friends informed on his progress while living in the hospital.  I remember those days.  I started our first family blog when Gabby was admitted into the hospital for the extended stay.  I will be honest, I started the blog so I didn’t have to communicate with multiple people.  I didn’t want to think about what was going on with Gabby let alone explain it in detail to every family member, co-worker and friend that called.  It was upsetting and exhausting.  Of course as a mom I appreciated all the support and prayers so I didn’t want to just shut everyone out, therefore the blog made sharing our news run smoothly.

I’m a strong believer in taking part in your community.  Seeing the whole neighborhood join together and celebrate Christmas early just to see Dax smile was amazing.  I just wish we had neighbors that were half as close to us as the Locke’s experienced.  A strong community is so important and such a blessing.

Have you seen The Heart of Christmas?  What was your favorite part?  Are your community members supportive of one another?

I’m giving away two copies of The Heart of Christmas on DVD.  Just enter the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Full Disclosure: I received a copy of The Heart of Christmas for review purposes.  All opinions are 100% mine.

67 Comments

  5. Family being together! There is nothing better then everyone sitting around together and enjoying each others company.

    Reply

  7. I love visiting ‘the tree’ (NYC) every year with my family and walking around the city taking in all of the Christmas atmosphere. It’s my favorite tradition 🙂

    Reply

  10. Our first Christmas as an engaged couple we opened gifts together in our pjs on Christmas morning and dreamed of our future together. It was such a great memory and as our dreams come true I feel that my Christmas wish from that year comes more true every year!

    Reply

  16. When I was little we went to my great grandparents house each Christmas eve — and Santa would visit and hand our oranges.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

    Reply

  18. I cherish the memories as a kid when all the extended family members would gather at my Grandmother’s house for food and fellowship!
    cjnedrow at gmail dot com

    Reply

  24. way back when I was little every christmas my grandparents would come out early like five am and set up camra then mom would come get us and we would just be together open presents eat breakfast grandparents would go home then come back again for dinner just loved all of us being together

    Reply

  28. I cherish each Christmas I had with my kids and the joy it gave me just to see the happy looks on their faces from opening presents.

    Reply

  29. I used to love spending Christmas at my grandparents house with all the family before they passed away. Christmas just hasn’t been the same since, although now I am enjoying making new traditions and memories with my own kids.

    Reply

  30. I cherish each and every Christmas that I have gotten to spend with my family, the people who mean the most to me.

    Reply

  31. I cherish the memory of Christmas Eve at my grandparents old victorian home with my cousins. Always seemed so magical.

    Reply

  32. Always going to both my Grandmothers and Grandfathers for Christmas Eve and Christmas–it was always so much fun being with all my cousins and aunts and uncles, and extended family friends member–we no longer get to do this,because they are gone,but the memories, and photos live on.

    Reply

  35. We would spend about three days in Vegas prior to Christmas and then drive home on Christmas Eve. Christmas was so special then and such happy times.

    Reply

  45. every year “santa” comes to our christmas party and when my daughter saw him coming down the stairs she was so elated it was so innocent and sweet.

    Reply

  47. Baking together with my family. My mom would host a baking day for my aunts and cousins and we’d all have a fun time baking, laughing, and listening to Christmas music.

    Reply

  51. I’m a military kid. One year my dad was in Korea during Christmas, so my mom did a special 12 Days of Christmas thing for us four kids. Every day she read from a booklet about the meaning of each gift from the song, and then we’d all open one present.

    Reply

  57. The Christmas as a child when I gave my sister a present she really wanted. I was so excited to give it to her. 🙂

    Reply

  63. My oldest was only a month old his first Christmas and I remember going over board with gifts for him.. He slept the whole time and I kept showing him all the things “santa” got him. And I couldn’t wait to dress him up and decorate the house for him.. LIke I said though he was only 1 month old and didn’t realize I did any of this.
    But I cherish this memory because for the first time ever in my adult life Christmas was magical again. My oldest is now 5 and I love that he can help decorate and bake cookies.

    Reply

  65. I cherish memories of Christmas with my grandparents and big family dinners with all my cousins and extended family.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *