[2] The film was first released on the Hallmark Channel on December 2, 2012 and stars Teri Polo, Paul Essiembre, and Ty Wood.
[3] The film's premise follows a group of neighbors that come together to help provide emotional support for a teenage boy that needs a heart transplant.
Tommy refuses to believe that Matt is going to die, and decides he's going to light the luminaria (with the help of Bob, a neighbor known along the street as somewhat pessimistic).
Heaton first began working on a treatment for The Christmas Heart around 2000 and pitched it to a Hollywood executive, but a film deal was never confirmed.
[9] A reviewer for The Philadelphia Inquirer remarked that the film "[followed the] made-for-TV Christmas formula" and that it "would work better if we were a little more invested in young Matt and his survival", but that the ending was satisfying.