Did you hear in the news some time back about the little boy named Dax Locke who had leukemia and his entire neighborhood held Christmas for him a couple months early? Well, The Heart of Christmas is a movie that tells Dax's story.

Christian artist Matthew West's work One Last Christmas, a song dedicated to Dax Locke that debuted around Christmas 2011, sparked the inspiration that made this movie.

The Heart of Christmas stars a cast of some familiar faces, including Candace Cameron Bure (who played DJ Tanner in the 90's TV show Full House), George Newborn (who starred as Bryan MacKenzie in the movie Father of the Bride), and Erin Bethea (who played the wife in the movie Fireproof).

Synopsis and Trailer

Synopsis:

The Heart of Christmas tells the story of Austin and Julie Locke, who are devastated to learn that their young son, Dax, has been diagnosed with cancer. With courage, determination, and faith, they decide to give Dax one last Christmas–even if it has to be in October. When the community sees the holiday decorations and learns the heartbreaking truth, what happens next is a miraculous outpouring of care and support. The Heart of Christmas will touch your heart and bring home the spirit of the holidays.

Trailer:

Discover It

GMC sent us a burned copy of the DVD The Heart of Christmas to review.

My husband describes this movie as a serious tear jerker. And I would have to concur! Among the attributes it highlights are kindness, giving, thankfulness, love, and friendship. It is a bring-you-down-to-earth reminder of the fragility of human life and the importance of family. It illustrates the up and down journey of the parents to the children with cancer at St. Jude Hospital while glimpsing into the contrasting and incredible strength, love, and strong character that these children possess.

While watching this movie, my husband and I could not stop thinking about our own son who's 2 years old. We emotionally put ourselves in the Locke parents' shoes and, oh, was it hard! We both balled our eyes out!

This movie subtly yet loudly pictures strong Christian values. It demonstrates how united kindness and support can make an incredible impact on not only those who are suffering but also to those in observance.

This is a heartbreaking yet spiritually uplifting film that I highly recommend to anyone–especially those with children. It definitely opens your eyes to the reality that we all need to focus on family and cherish every last moment.

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

–Psalm 90:12

Watch It

The Heart of Christmas premiers on Sunday, December 4, 2012, at 7 and 9 PM EST on GMC.

Buy It

You can purchase The Heart of Christmas DVD for yourself or for friends and family this Christmas season online at Walmart.com.

Donate It

You can donate money to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital via the Dax Locke Foundation. Their goal is to reach 1.6 million dollars–last I checked, they'd achieved $632,000!

Win It

The Prize

The Heart of Christmas DVD

$15.00 ARV

How to Enter

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The Deadline

Giveaway Ends

Friday, November 9, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST

Open to U.S. Residents Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free for evaluation purposes. Regardless, all opinions expressed are still 100% my own. This post may contain affiliate links. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials In Advertising.