The Heart of Christmas

{{about||the album by Matthew West|The Heart of Christmas (album)}}

{{Infobox television

| image = Theheartofchristmas.jpg

| image_upright = 1.0

| image_alt =

| caption = DVD released cover

| genre =

| creator =

| based_on =

| writer = Lance W. Dreesen

| screenplay =

| story =

| director = Gary Wheeler

| starring = Candace Cameron Bure
Erin Bethea
Jeanne Neilson
Eric Jay Beck
George Newbern
Matthew West

| narrated =

| music = Matthew West

| country = United States

| language = English

| num_episodes =

| producer = Suzette Schafer
Charlie Schafer
Mark Burman

| editor = Jonathan Olive

| cinematography = Rob Givens

| runtime = 107 minutes

| company = SlingShot Picture
My Three Sons Film

| budget =

| network =

| released = {{Start date|2011|12|04}}

}}

The Heart of Christmas is a 2011 American Christian drama film directed by Gary Wheeler. It stars Candace Cameron Bure, Erin Bethea, Jeanne Neilson, Eric Jay Beck, George Newbern, and Matthew West. Based on a true story, the film involves a woman's encounter with a family caring for a child with acute leukemia and how it transforms her faith and her attitude about her own family.

Plot

Megan Walsh is a successful businesswoman who does not seem to have enough time for her husband and two children. While taking her children trick-or-treating during Halloween, she encounters a confusing situation in which many families are decorating for Christmas (which is nearly two months away). Their explanation is that they are trying to provide one last Christmas for Dax Locke, a toddler in their neighborhood who is dying of a rare form of leukemia. Curious, Megan reads Dax's mother Julie's blog and learns about the Lockes' journey. Inspired, Megan examines her own life and priorities.{{cite web| url= http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/article_info.php?articles_id=8173 |title="The Heart of Christmas" Will Warm Your Heart | first= Angela | last= Wheeler | publisher= ChristianCinema.com | accessdate= 31 March 2013}}

Cast

Candace Cameron Bure as Megan Walsh
Jeanne Neilson as Julie Locke
Eric Jay Beck as Austin Locke
Erin Bethea as Trish Hurtgren
Matthew West as Mark Hurtgren
Christopher Shone as Dax Locke
George Newbern as Dr. Don Sandler
Nicholas Shone as Dax Locke
Dendrie Taylor as Michelle Denford
Anita Renfroe as Theresa
Burgess Jenkins as Walt Walsh
Brooke Bryan as Emma Walsh
Hayden & Christian Nelson as Jackson Walsh
Bruce Marchiano as Dr. McDowell

Reception

The film does not appear to have received reviews by any major professional film critics. Rotten Tomatoes has no rating for the movie.[http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_heart_of_christmas/ The Heart Of Christmas] at Rotten Tomatoes Scott Rolfe at The Dove Foundation website assigns the film 5 stars out of 5, although this may reflect its acceptability for the foundation's wholesomeness for family viewing.{{cite web| url= http://www.dove.org/reviewpopup.asp?Unique_ID=9097| first=Scott | last= Rolfe | title= Heart of Christmas, the Review by The Dove Foundation | publisher= The Dove Foundation | accessdate= 31 March 2013}}

Release

It received a worldwide television premiere on December 4, 2012, on Gospel Music Channel (GMC).{{cite web|url=https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/heart-christmas-touches-heart|title='The Heart of Christmas' touches the heart|work=National Catholic Reporter|first=Rose|last=Pacatte|date=December 2, 2011|access-date=June 14, 2021}}