Remember when I told you about the new Veggietales movie? We received a complimentary copy for review and I’ve had the chance to watch it (a few times). While I was already partial to VeggieTales in the first place, I’ve only fallen more in love with Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber and the whole cast of (delicious and healthy) characters.

In the movie, Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving, young and old(er) viewers alike are treated to a beautiful story about the importance and meaning of Christmas. I found it to be particularly relevant to life for children right now as one character, Laura Carrot, is worried that her dad might lose his job. As such, she may end up with nothing for Christmas. Enter a Christmas story about a boy (named Nicholas, of course) and what he discovered long ago that “changed Christmas forever.”

It’s an obvious Christmas story, made all the more wonderful by the VeggieTales characters, the wonderful music (remember the Matthew West and Amy Grant video?) and the general humor that Larry brings to this particular story. (He annoys Bob by interrupting his story. A lot. In funny ways, of course. But a lot.) I think, out of all the Veggietales movies we own, this may rank as a unanimous favorite. I love it for the teaching aspect, for the subtle and not-so-subtle lessons it offers my children without being boring. The kids love it because, again, while serious, it’s a humorous little treat. I don’t even think they realize that they’re learning.

We love this movie. Which is why we’re giving one copy away to a lucky reader! Interested in helping your children learn about the real meaning of Christmas and inspiring them to give year round? Here’s how you enter:

1. Leave a comment about how you plan on teaching your children that Christmas is more about giving than receiving. You may do this once.

2. Blog about this giveaway on your public blog, linking back to this post. Leave a comment here letting me know that you’ve done so.

3. Tweet about the giveaway. Copy/paste the following and come back with the link to your tweet: Help inspire your kids to give this Christmas w/ Veggietales & @FireMom: http://bit.ly/4cKEDM GIVEAWAY!

4. Post this on your Facebook or submit it to another social networking engine like StumbleUpon or Digg. Let me know via a comment that you have done so.

Restriction: US only.

This giveaway will be open until Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at noon. I’ll grab a random number (random.org) and contact the winner by email. You have 24 hour to respond before I seek out another winner. If you don’t win, the movie is available on Amazon for $9.99 right now (October 7, 2009).

I encourage you, even if you don’t purchase the video this Christmas, to teach your children the importance of giving this year. Many families are finding themselves in difficult financial situations, some for the first time ever. If you have any ability, please reach out to those families in need this year. The lesson you teach your child will be priceless and you will, quite likely, make the entire season for those to whom you give.

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This is just another post in our Media Review & Giveaway Extravaganza. Tune in tomorrow for another review + giveaway combo post!

If your kids are a fan of Veggie Tales, I bet that I can’t say the name “Veggie Tales” without the theme song bursting into your head. I know, I know. I’m sorry. As I sit here writing this post about the new DVD on the way, I’m singing it as well. While I don’t believe in pre-loading music, imagine the tune playing in the background or being sung by BigBrother. Good times.

Even better times: Veggie Tales has a new DVD coming out this October for the holiday season. (Why, yes, it is September 2nd and I’m talking about the holiday season. Why? BigBrother & LittleBrother both have birthdays in November. Their birthday presents are already purchased. I’ve been working on Christmas for a month. Guess what just got added to their list? Oh, yes, Veggie Tales.) The new DVD is entitled VeggieTales: Saint Nicholas—A Story of Joyful Giving. Just looking at the title lets me know that this will be something my kids will need this year. While LittleBrother is a bit young (he will have just turned two), I plan on talking about the idea of giving this Christmas with BigBrother. Excited to have a DVD to help me along with the goal.

In preparation for the October 3rd release, Big Idea (the company behind Veggie Tales) has released a video. Entitled “Give This Christmas Away,” the lyrics really speak to the ideas of giving this Christmas season. The song is performed by two of my favorite Christian artists, Matthew West and Amy Grant. It’s a beautiful song and the video is full of your child’s favorite Veggie Tale characters as well as other children receiving blessings of gifts from others. If you can watch the video without feeling a smidgen misty, you’re made of stone! I mean, the lyrics are beautiful:

What is December looked different this year?
What if we all just give this Christmas away?
If there’s love in your heart, don’t let it stay there.
Give this Christmas away.
And your life will be changed by the gift you receive when you give this Christmas away.

The children featured in the video are receiving gifts as a part of Operation Christmas Child. If you’re interested in teaching your children about giving as the holidays roll around this year, check out the site.

To make matters sweeter, Big Idea has also made another video available for free to download. Entitled “I Can Love (Because God Loves Me),” it is packed with messages that your child will be blessed to learn. After you enter your registration information, click the format that you would like to download. On the next window, click “save as” instead of run. It will be saved on your computer to listen to and watch at your child’s every whim.

The question may remain: who wants to listen to Christmas music in September. To be fair, my show choir starts practicing next week. We’ll be working on our Christmas concert. If I can sing Christmas music from September through December, so can your kids. Furthermore, far from Jingle Bells, these songs have a beautiful meaning that you will be pleased to hear your children sing over and over and over again.

The FireFamily will be receiving a copy of the DVD to review in the very near future. I hope to be able to watch it without the kids so that we can surprise them with it on the day after Thanksgiving in preparation for Christmas. I will, however, offer you a full review on my thoughts (and FireDad’s) after we give it a thorough watching. In the meantime, go watch the video for “Give This Christmas Away” and download your own copy of “I Can Love (Because God Loves Me).” And be sure to come back in October as we’re going to be giving away a copy of VeggieTales: Saint Nicholas—A Story of Joyful Giving.

So be sure to come back twice in the next month(ish) to read our review and have a go at winning the new DVD!

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[I received no compensation for this post. I share it because we are a Veggie Tales loving family. This information was shared with me by Morris-King Company. I will let you know when I have received free/promotional items to post. I always Blog with Integrity.]