The Heart of Christmas

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Yesterday many were out hunting for bargains hoping to buy something for themselves or purchase that perfect gift for someone on their Christmas gift list. The day after Thanksgiving traditionally marks the start of the Christmas season. Retailers call the day “Black Friday” presumably in the hope that they will prosper on this busy shopping day.
 
I found myself feeling just a bit blue on this black Friday so I decided to search Netflix for a movie that just might lift my mood and get me into the “Holiday spirit” I browsed for a while skipping over Santa films and other silly flicks. I came upon the title The Heart of Christmas and I felt drawn to it.
 
 
The Heart of Christmas is a movie based on the true story of little Dax Locke and his battle with Leukemia. It is also about how one woman’s encounter with this family carrying for their precious child, transforms her faith and her attitude about her own family.  The movie portrays how when doctors felt Dax may not survive to see another Christmas, his family and multitudes of others determined to give him one last Christmas. Matthew West wrote a song One Last Christmas when he heard of Dax Locke’s story. This inspired producers to make the movie The Heart of Christmas.
 
To learn more about this film click on this link: http://www.daxlocke.org/!/heart-of-christmas
 
To listen to Matthew West sing his song and tell why he wrote it click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye39mgcHC3E
 
I admit, The Heart of Christmas was not the cheery lighthearted distraction I thought I set out to find yesterday on Black Friday but I am very thankful I watched it. I do highly recommend it. I must warn you though - have tissue handy … plenty of tissue.
 
There were important lessons I learned as I watched (often sobbing, I confess) the story of how a family handled their son’s terminal illness with grace and love – determined to “cherish every moment”. They chose to not become bitter. Instead, they looked for ways to make their loss become a blessing to others.
 
 The Dax Locke Foundation was established to raise money to help St Jude’s Children’s Hospital treat other children with serious illnesses/ http://www.daxlocke.org/default.aspx 
 
If you would like to learn more about the important work of St Jude’s Children’s Hospital or help in their mission visit their website:
http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f87d4c2a71fca210VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD
 
Having love and deep faith, cherishing family and friends, caring about others and making the most of the time we have is, after all, truly “The Heart of Christmas”.
 
 
"The Heart Of Christmas"
I’m gonna make a wish this Christmas
I’m gonna say a little prayer
I’m gonna stop here for a moment
Before the moment disappears

The world’s in a hurry this December
City streets and shopping malls
I wish we could slow down and remember
The meaning of it all

Wherever you are, no matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas
Live while you can, cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure they know it
Don’t miss it, the heart of Christmas

Let’s make it feel the way it used to
Let’s find that wonder of a child
You can see the magic all around you
Come on, and open up your eyes

You can find it in the warm embrace of your family
Or calling up a long lost friend
You can even find it in the eyes of stranger
When you reach out a helping hand

Wherever you are, no matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas
Live while you can, cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure they know it
Don’t miss it, the heart of Christmas

In the shadow of a steeple
In a star that lights the way
You will find Him in a manger
The heart of Christmas has a name

I’m gonna make a wish this Christmas
I’m gonna say a little prayer

Wherever you are, no matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas
Live while you can and cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure they know it

Wherever you are, no matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas
Live while you can, cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure they know it
Don’t miss it, the heart of Christmas
 
Here is a link to a video so you may enjoy this song also by Matthew West: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tho8r0n_y6Y

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