Before you get upset with me for mentioning Christmas before we’ve reached Halloween, let me explain. I learned of a film with a holiday theme and I was asked for my honest review. I happen to LOVE the holidays. Like really love. But I’ve struggled in recent years because I see and hear about a good deal of stress the season thrusts upon families. I’ve not fully escaped such stress myself.
The Heart of Christmas is a film based upon the true story of the Locke family. When I read the description of the movie, I felt drawn to watch it and share with my readers. Why?
Because my work for more than a decade with a children’s hospital has afforded me the honor of sharing many a holiday season with families who, honestly, would rather be anywhere else than a children’s hospital. Often, in the midst of true sadness and fear, wonderful joy can occur. I’ve shared that and it is something to behold.
Visit the website The Heart of Christmas to learn more about the inspiring story encouraging the message “cherish every moment” and “live today.” The film tells the story of a family faced with losing their child and their quest to give him one last Christmas celebration. Rather than explain more, I think the movie trailer does it best:
Regardless of your religious leanings, this is a wonderful movie with a lesson that spans more than the winter holidays. Rated PG, it opens December 4th. I’ll watch it again, with other people in the room next time. Not going to lie, have tissues handy. Don’t let the fact that you will likely cry detour you from watching because the joy and inspiration you’ll experience is more than worth a few sniffles. I did sob in places because it threw me back to a time when I shared very intimate moments with some of the best families I will ever meet. For me those tears were welcomed. I have such fond memories of that time.
Featured in the movie is this beautiful and inspiring song which spreads a message needing to be shared. A sample lyric, “The ones that you love, make sure they know it.” I’d like to dedicate it to my family and friends.
Enter to win!
I’m happy to offer my readers the chance to win the DVD so you can share this experience with those who mean something to you. Simply leave me a comment about a holiday memory. I’ll choose a winner using random.org on the evening of Nov. 1st. Must be a US Resident, age 18 or older to enter. Winner will be notified via e-mail and have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
A holiday memory… growing up I was able to spend every Christmas with a great extended family. Cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles – it was fantastic to be able to spend time together. I’ve been determined to provide that same kind of interaction for my own kids.
You have described most of my Christmas celebrations, Jen. The hardest part about moving away has been the extended family gatherings are now much fewer and farther between. But we make new memories.
I still remember my first Christmas as a mom. A mom to a two week old. A very special first for me and one I will never forget. The best part, three kids later they just keep getting better.
Shana, oh, the first Christmas as a mom has to be the best, but I agree, they keep getting better!
I was in the hospital until Christmas eve. They let me go home for Christmas.
Laura, you got an early present that year
Thanks for entering my first giveaway! Good luck.
Good day! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Thank you
Every Christmas to me is great -it seems like memories are born every year -gets sweeter all the time
Vickie, I agree, new memories do make Christmas sweeter with each passing year.
i feel like some are the memories of the past can sometimes interlock with those of the future to enhance the moment
Cassandra, beautiful sentiment. I agree. We love talking about some of our favorite holiday memories during the holidays and often then bring us to make new ones to cherish.
One of my favorite holiday memories was the baking parties my mom would host. We’d invite over aunts, cousins, and church friends and make all sorts of wonderful Christmas goodies-sweet breads, snowball cookies, sugar cookies, etc!
Nicole, there is nothing better than the aroma of cookies and breads baking at the holidays. I love the memory you shared. I might have to wrangle that snowball cookie recipe – is that available somewhere were I can copy it?
All kids asleep in their beds.
Ah, Eva, just like the famous fable. With sugarplums dancing. Love it!
The Christmas we got to bring my newborn son home after spending 10 weeks in the hospital was my favorite so far.
Oh, Amy, I imagine that Christmas will not be forgotten! He was your gift!
my daughter playing with the wrapping paper and not the gifts. i guess i wrapped them to pretty
she was only 2.
Haha, I love that image, Danielle. I can’t tell you how many bows I’d find all over the home when my oldest girls were young! My youngest now like to help me wrap so I guess they do get to play with the paper and ribbon a bit too, ha.
I have lots of wonderful memories growing up, but more recently it was a pleasure to surprise my MIL by bringing her entire family together for Christmas.
Ashley, it sounds like you mastered the gift I’m sure she treasures always. Time with her family, during a happy time of year. That’s really what matters.
My favorite holiday memories are of all of my family together when I was little. Some people have passed away now so it will never be the same. Thoses are gonna be the memories I hold dear to me all the time.
Those memories are dear. I hope you still speak of them often so as to include them in your celebration. I’ve heard of many traditions where families make a special, favorite dish of a deceased member, maybe their recipe. Or they read a story they used to read to the family. Something to include them, always.
My favorite holiday memories are making candy and decorating with my grandmother. She passed away last year, and now my mom and my cousin and I are carrying on some of the traditions
. Gotta keep the torch burning!
Kayla, I love how you’re keeping the torch burning. How wonderful. I’ve never made candy other than fudge. Yum.
My fav holiday memory was receiving a christmas dress each year from “santa’. We opened our presents on Christmas Eve and wore them to church!
Lisa, I really like that tradition of the Christmas dress from Santa. We always give our kids new holiday PJ’s that they open on Christmas eve and they always look so cute on Christmas morning. Bedhead and new PJ’s!
One of my favorite Christmas memories is the time I took my husband (my boyfriend then) back home to meet my family. We had a great time, and my family just loved him, then and now. It was also the first time he told me he loved me.
Aw, the part about him saying the ‘L’ word the first time is so special. A nice Christmas gift and now a great story for your family.
being together with family every year. going to church on christmas eve when i was younger since i was in the sunday school play, now my nieces and my own children are in it!
I always love Sunday school plays. We’ve done Christmas Eve mass a few times, it is always so beautiful, we love when the Father reads a story to the kids, but midnight mass is kind of hard on Santa. We’ll do that again when our kids are older.
My daughter was born right before Christmas this past year. It was perfect. Her birth completely changed the holiday for me. Our Christmases from here on out will never be the same.
Nicole, I also think having children in your life, whether they are ours or those from extended family, makes Christmas completely different. Perfect.
experiencing my first white christmas was amazing the other year
So true, Gail, white Christmas’ are so memorable. I love when it snows on Christmas.
So many favorite memories growing up in a family with 5 kids, but absolute favorite has to be the ones with my 2 year old son. This year we will get to celebrate with my 4 month old daughter as well! Thanks for the giveaway!!
Jennifer, thanks for entering my first giveaway! This will be a very special holiday for your family.
My husband grew up celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve. At first it seemed weird, but now I love it too. Then we spend all of Christmas enjoying one another & making a birthday cake for Jesus!
Holiday memory is celebrating Christmas eve with my immediate family and Christmas day with my husbands
Every year is always new memory makers–and cherished past memories–The greatest is our blended family Six girls and 2 boys and one to come in Feb. if God wills.We have such a large family that we had made it more special in different ways. Thew kids get a shared gift, and a needed gift,and 1 wanted gift.The 3 gifts shared and given to OUR LORD. The best part is being together..The kids can’t spend any money, they have to make it and share it.Alot of thought goes into this. Sometimes its a play, sometimes,its a photo.It never makes any difference–its from there hearts, and how they share. These are the memories I will always hold on to.
Christmas last year my family and I decide to go to Florida to see my brother and my niece. It was such a blast. I finally got to spend a Christmas with the whole family and it was bya far the best one I’ve ever had!
It’s hard to choose just one holiday memory, but I just love the Christmases spent together with family, enjoying each other’s company.
My favorite holiday memory is piling into the station wagon with the family and driving around to look at Christmas lights. It’s always such a beautiful sight with the snow here in WI!
We would go to Christmas Eve mass for the candlelight service and come back to see Santa had come.
Getting up extra early on Christmas morning to look at the tree in the dark and have coffee with my dad.
My favorite memory of Christmas was making cookies with my mom and spending the holidays with my family. Now that I’ve moved away and started my own family, it means even more when we get together.
My Christmas memory would be Christmas Eve at my Grandma’s house. We would have our meal and exchange our gifts with each other.
I love getting together with the family and baking all day with my mom and sisters!
I remember one Christmas Eve years ago. My grandma was taking pictures. That was unusual but we happily posed. Halfway through the night we realized that she forgot to put the film in. D’oh! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
My favorite Christmas memory was when we surprised my grandparents with a trip to the mountains for Christmas and and the whole family was there waiting on them. We rented a cabin for what we thought was going to be a couple of days and ended up getting snowed in.
Making candies with my mom.
I love Christmas Eve service with the family!
Being able to spend Christmas with all my kids and grandchildren. We all live so far apart and it was a joy to have everyone under the same roof. Maybe some day we will be able to do it again.
I still remember the look on the kids faces when we wrapped boxes with money taped to the inside of the box… they thought they got nothing because they didn’t realize what was there..
tarter95 at hotmail dot com
I love that every Christmas Eve we play minute to win after the kids are in bed. It’s a lot of fun!
My favorite Christmas memory is when my dad built me a kitchen set from wood…I was four!
My son’s birthday is Dec 22nd so that first Christmas as a mom was pretty special! momlovesdeals at gmail dot com
I love seeing the look on our daughters’ faces on Christmas morning!
Our twin daughters’ second Christmas was the best because our daughters are just starting to understand the meaning of Christmas.
Most of my Christmas memories are in Michigan with my family. There were many years my kids and I flew on Christmas day to be with them. I sure do miss my Dad.
I loved baking cookies with my mom. I got to spend some quality time and then eat the cookies/batter too.
So many great Christmas traditions in our family. Love a movie on Christmas evening.
I remember going to Christmas midnight mass every year with my folks. We tried hard to stay awake, but usually failed.
My family enjoys decorating the Christmas tree together. The night after Thanksgiving we turn on the Christmas music while we decorate the tree. Then we enjoy hot chocolate while we watch a fun Christmas movie.
I grew up in the town next to Dax….a more recent Christmas memory for us is the first year EVERYONE decorated for DAX! I have never seen so many houses with lights so early in the year….and most spelled out “Dax”. Purely awesome. I will never forget!
our holiday tradation was to set up and decorat on thanksgiving night- tree and other decorttions and now i really enjoying keeping the tradation alive with my 2 children we always put on a christmas movie and decorate together ( i love a good holiday movie)
We love reading a new Christmas Book each Christmas Eve
I love the valuable info you supply in your posts. I like your writing style.
I didn’t have much memories of Christmas as a child so now I make sure to do a lot of special things with my daughter! Last year we baked cookies and exchanged 3 gifts on Christmas eve because that’s what Jesus got! My daughter loved it so we will do it again this year! She still had Christmas opening gifts but Christmas Eve was just as special!
I love Christmas! We have so many traditions, but one of my favorites is that everyone has to take turns opening gifts. This lasts all day and everyone has time to thank the person who gave it to them and play/enjoy the gift till it’s your turn again!
As I child I remember decorating for Christmas with Christmas music playing over the speakers in our house. Then we would all have hot chocolate.
I remember the Christmas that we got our puppy. We had no idea. Our parents really surprised us!
My favorite Christmas morning memory is having to go outside and find our Cabbage Patch Dolls out in the garden….My Mom loved to be creative!
Visiting family in Texas
I have so many memories but one of the most recent is two years ago when I got to bring home my now two year old grandson home from the NICU. He was born at 23 weeks weighing 1 lb 9 ozs. He is now a healthy 2 1/2 year old. Christmas this year and the memories will be great with him and very interesting.
One of my favorite holiday memories is that my brother and I would each get one gift for each other and give it on Christmas Eve. We were always very close growing up.
I remember all the extended family meeting at Grandma’s on Christmas Eve. We kids could hardly wait until time to open presents!
last year was a great christmas because it was the first one with our baby girl, she was 3 months old
i’m more excited about this year though since she’s a little more aware and it’s the first year with us 3 together, last year daddy was living out of state 
I have many favorite Christmas’ at grandparents when I was younger and they were still alive.There was so much love with all of us kids,cousins,aunts,uncles,sisters.I miss them dearly but I have so many wonderful memories.
I have to say my most favorite Christmas is my first one when I had my daughter.She was only 2 months old back in 1985.By the next Christmas was so awesome to see her little eyes just light up from excitement.She was little but she knew what was going on and that Santa had brought her everything she needed.I raised teaching what Christmas is about Jesus’ B-day and that’s why we give gifts to each other.She is the best gift I ever got.Seeing her every Christmas with that sparkle in her eyes that only a child has was amazing.She loves Christmas to this day.God Blessed me with a wonderful daughter,sisters,neices,mom and the rest of my family.I cherish everyday because I had cancer last year and now I’m fine.God is so good! Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!
My name is Sue Hull. I noticed another Sue H.
The year we got to travel back to my moms for Christmas. It had been years since we lived so far away & had 3 kids, including twins with special needs. My brother was also able to be there. The whole family got together. It was the last Christmas for both my brother & my grandmother. I will always cherish that Christmas.
My first Christmas as a mom…my newborn was not quite 3 weeks old yet, and OH, what a magical thing it was! She and my son (born 4 years later on December 20) are the best Christmas gifts I could have ever received.
My favorite memories are from when we used to go to the Christmas Tree farm to get a real tree every year. Hayrides, Christmas trees, hot apple cider and family spending time together. My oldest son’s allergies have gotten to the point that we have to have an artificial tree now but I have some great memories of going to pick out those “perfect” trees.
Last Christmas was my favorite because it was my first one as a mom. I always felt so left out when we were struggling with TTC. Last year I finally got to experience having my own family Christmas.
Christmas was pretty decent for us growing up. My mom worked real hard for us. One time we had a Charlie Brown Christmas tree though.
my favorite memories are always of christmas eve when our whole extended fam (on moms side) would come to our hous. we would eat tons of food and play and it was always a blast
My favorite Christmas memories were those years when both of my children’s grandmothers were still living. They would both travel to our house to spend the night on Christmas Eve. I don’t know who was more excited on Christmas morning, our kids or the grandmas!!!
My favorite Christmas memory was a few years ago after my son had a massive stroke. I spent 2 months decorating the house for Christmas. I put up the biggest tree that would fit in the family room and I watched a diffrent Christmas movie with him every nite. Now every December we get out the movies and still keep up this magic time together.
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