Matthew West » One Last Christmas

One Last Christmas – The Dax Locke Story
November 30, 2010 - Comments (55)

Today, a new Christmas song is available on iTunes. The song is called “One Last Christmas” and it actually came from my time at the cabin. Like all the songs on The Story of Your Life, this song has a story. But the way the story came to me was a unique. I received three different stories from three different people all in this small town in Illinois whose lives have been impacted by the life of a two year-old boy named Dax. At just thirteen months old, little Dax was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia. He was given two bone marrow transplants as a part of emergency treatment; one from each of his parents. The doctors then told his parents that Dax would most likely not make it to see Christmas.

Well, this song is inspired by the true story of the love of a family, and the coming together of an entire community to make sure that this little boy could have one last Christmas. His dad, determined that his son would see Christmas, put up the decorations early. The neighborhood caught on, and did the same. The whole town soon followed suit. A website was built telling his story. Soon, pictures were sent from all over the world of Christmas decorations that had been put up in his honor. Incredible!

Dax did lose his battle with Leukemia, but not before he got to see one last Christmas. Today, this little boy’s legacy lives on, and his parents are making sure it does. They were so touched by the care they received from St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, that they now have a desire to raise enough money to run the entire hospital for one day in honor of their son, Dax. The total cost to run St. Jude’s for one day is $1.6 million dollars. Already, they have raised a quarter of a million dollars.

Right now, I have a song called “My Own Little World,” that’s been on the radio. That song was written out of a desire to stop looking out for only me. And this Christmas, it is on my heart to join forces with the Locke family, and help them in their cause. I would like to encourage you to join us in raising money that will go to an amazing cause in St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital that cares for so many children each year.

To donate now to St. Jude’s in memory of Dax please visit:

http://tiny.cc/m1mdo

To read more of Dax’s story visit:
http://www.daxlocke.com/

Together, we can reach this goal – and fund St. Jude’s for an entire day in Dax Locke’s memory!

-mw

POSTED BY:
matthew

55 comments

1. Brent commented:

Tue 30/11/10, 6:10 pm

Thanks so much Matthew for inspiring us with this song and telling Dax’s story. My family has been so moved by these songs you have written in the cabin! My daughter and I heard Dax’s song today and I asked her if she listened to the words and she said she did. I could tell she wish she could help but we didn’t know how. Well now we do. Thanks Matthew. Oh and my daughter says thanks for the A++ you gave her on her drawing during your concert in Colleyville, TX last month. Your concert has been the best we have ever been too and can’t stop talking about it. Thanks again for all you do in sharing Gods Word!

2. Susan Cline commented:

Tue 30/11/10, 6:52 pm

A truly beautiful offering – this song tells the story so vividly that it makes you feel that you are part of Dax’s story. Your gifts appear endless in being able to create music that shows God’s love for us!

3. Susan Ellis commented:

Tue 30/11/10, 9:14 pm

Thank you for inspiring me with this song. I really needed a reality check, on how lucky and thankful I am for a wonderful family and healthy beautiful children and grandchildren! God bless you for touching our lives through your music.

4. cassie commented:

Wed 1/12/10, 7:35 am

This song could not have been more true to Dax’s story! The family is amazing & a song such as this will help everyone in Central Illinois truly remember the spirit of Christmas.

5. Dana commented:

Wed 1/12/10, 9:59 am

I just heard your song on the radio and I’m still in tears. I live in the Peoria, Illinois area and have followed Dax for along time. I also decorated our tree early. I just wanted to say thank you for writing such a beautiful song.

6. Thank you! commented:

Wed 1/12/10, 10:25 am

I just heard this song on the radio and cried. I live in Peoria, IL close to Washington where Dax was from and have followed his story for a long time. He was such a fighter and I see signs of him all over town. Last year was amazing how many people decorated early for him and contiune to keep his spirit alive. You did this so beautifully in your song. Thank you!

7. Christy commented:

Wed 1/12/10, 11:02 am

Thank you for writing this song. All of us in Dax’s town (and around the world have) been inspired by this amazing little boy. This song not only helps Dax to live on and inspire others but helps to remind everyone that every day is a special gift from God. Thank you Julie, Austin and Dax for reminding us that life is precious. Thank you Matthew for using your amazing talents to tell these stories. Dance with the angels little Dax.

8. bruce commented:

Wed 1/12/10, 11:18 am

I heard this song on the way home last night on WCSG in Grand Rapids MI. It really touched me, then to find out that it is based on a true story, well that just makes it very special. Thank you for using your God given abilities to make me cry … while driving!

9. Julie Bond commented:

Wed 1/12/10, 2:11 pm

Just listened to this on KLOVE and hits close to home…
For Caleb:
Thank you to KLOVE radio and Matt West and all the others who contribute to touching all our lives, so personally, with songs that bring us into a more holy place of worship. We are advid listeners and supporters of KLOVE and have seen God use many songs, at exactly the right moment, to deeply impact our faith.
October 2009, our then 6 year old son, Caleb, was diagnoised with a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontene Glioma (DIPG) a very, very rare type of brain tumor that attacks the brainstem. The doctor’s gave him 12-18 months to live from diagnoisis. There is no surgery, no cure, other than a miracle from our great Heavenly Father, who is our Healer! We are trusting and believing that God is who He says He is, and that He can do what He says He can do and that we are who He says we are!!! We know and believe that God’s authority supercedes mere human authority and are believing the report of the LORD!
Matt’s song hits so close to home for us, as three months ago the MRI showed that the tumor had begun growing again, I lost all hope and accepted defeat and thought we won’t even make it to Christmas!!! So, I understand, desiring that I didn’t, about how Dax’s family felt and thought. We’ve been there too. But now we are standing, more firmly planted on God’s truth that it is NOT God’s will for us to be sick and have disease; sickness and disease are NOT from Him, neither is death! Death, sickness and disease is from the evil one. Nothing like having a very sick child that makes a parent spend countless hours on their knees and in God’s Holy Word! Reading, listening, praying, singing…we must have faith that God can heal and HAS HEALED our son, claiming all of God’s promises but these are two we share now, Isaish 53 “By his stripes we are healed.” and Mark 11:23-24 “Jesus says, I tell you the truth, whoever says to the mountain and does not doubt in his heart, be thou removed and cast into the depths of the sea, it will be done for him. So when you pray, believe that you have already received it and it will be given unto you.”
There is nothing more endearing then to hear my Caleb singing along to songs on KLOVE, extoling our Heavenly Father, giving Him praise, thanks and glory! Thank you KLOVE for being a measure God uses to touch so many of us with songs He knows will impact our lives at just the right moment.
Looking forward to Christmas 2010 and many, many more with our beloved son, Caleb James Bond.

10. Martha commented:

Wed 1/12/10, 2:46 pm

Thank you so much for writing this song for this beautiful little boy. All of central Illinois knows the story of Dax. He warmed our hearts last Christmas and continues to live forever
with us. God bless – Martha

11. Patty commented:

Wed 1/12/10, 3:31 pm

I heard this song for the first time last night. I had just arrived home and it really touched me so much I just sat in my car sobbing. You see my sister took her 7 year old son to have a check up because he wasn’t feeling well. Turned out he had Aplastic Anemia, a very rare blood disorder. They sent him to St. Jude’s in Memphis where his 4 year old sister was a perfect match for a bone marrow transplant. To make a long story short he was diagnosed on July 5th and went to be with Jesus on September 27, three days after his 8th birthday. The whole family made the trip to St. Jude’s to help him celebrate and I will never forget the way Justin opened his presents and the beautiful smile on his face. We may never understand why he had to go so soon, for there were people everywhere praying, but I do know that heaven has to be sweeter with him there. Death isn’t evil for the Christian it only separates us for a while. No one is exempt from death. It sure is hard thing to go through but with God’s help we are making it and it also helps to know there are people like you who really care and take the time to write a song in memory of this one. I didn’t have the privilege of knowing about Dax but his family will be in my prayers this Christmas.
Thank for the beautiful song at Christmas!
May God richly bless you!

12. Alyssa commented:

Wed 1/12/10, 6:15 pm

I thought I could never be a bigger Matthew West fan…I hunted down your tour bus and talked to you in Peoria, IL when I won tickets to your concert, I have every one of your songs memorized, I have posters…everything. You and your lyrics have been such a positive influence on my Christian life. As a resident of Washington, Illinois, I thank you so very much for your contribution to this family that really touched all of our lives. GOD BLESS YOU!!

13. Central Illinois St Jude Runner commented:

Wed 1/12/10, 7:56 pm

Thank you so much for this beautiful tribute to a true hero to each of us. It’s because of children like Dax that I chose to run each August. Thank you for helping Julie and Austin spread the word about their fund raising efforts.

14. Jan commented:

Wed 1/12/10, 10:00 pm

This song could have been written about my daughter. As she was waiting for a kidney transplant, time ran out. It was on October 24, 2001 that she collapsed. We spent the next days at the hospital until the morning of November 5, 2001 when she took up residence in heaven. She was 27 years old. Thank you for writing such a wonderful song.

15. anna commented:

Wed 1/12/10, 10:37 pm

i just wanted to thank you for writing this song. i live in washington and dax really touched our hearts. st. jude is a wonderful! just for all of you to know julie and austin have a new present this christmas. they had a beautiful baby girl in october named madeline, and from what i hear she was named after a little girl they met at st. jude while dax was there. God is good!

16. Mara commented:

Thu 2/12/10, 10:23 am

Your song has inspired me and raised a passion in me.

I would really really like you to consider making “My own little world” an organization for charities. For something that is actually about DOING something outside of our own little world. This song has touched so many people, i feel as if even more good could come from it. Take your words and make them into actions.

I hear these words play over and over in my head almost every second of the day. More needs to be done with them, something greater must come from them!

17. TJ commented:

Thu 2/12/10, 11:37 am

i have heard this song on the radio this week and that song has hit me close to home. i haven’t dealt with anything like they did, but i came intimate with that song because not only does it honor a child who passed away and impacted a town, but it should remind us that we don’t know how many more christmases that we have on this earth and we should treasure everyone of them.

18. Jamie commented:

Fri 3/12/10, 12:20 pm

Really a beautiful story. Thank you for the inspiration, the gratitude and the beautiful song about an incredible boy, family and town.

19. Scott commented:

Fri 3/12/10, 1:24 pm

Matthew,

I heard this song and watched the video for the first time today. I don’t know how you could keep yourself together long enough to sing such a wonderful song. It is very inspiring and I hope that it makes people realize how valuable St. Jude is. Keep up the good work and I hope your and your family have a wonderful holiday. Thank you again!

20. Patty Smallberger commented:

Fri 3/12/10, 2:47 pm

This song touched my heart. In 1982, I lost a 2 1/2 little boy to a cancerous brain tumor the Tuesday after Christmas. To say it was the worst day of my life would be correct even though I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February of this year. This time I was grateful it happened to me instead of one of my children or grandchildren. God Bless this family!

21. Julie commented:

Fri 3/12/10, 7:46 pm

Thank you so much for honoring our buddy Dax! I am from Peoria, IL and am blessed to have been deeply touched by Dax Locke and his wonderful family. I came to know Dax shortly after his diagnosis, when my good friend was in Memphis with her daughter who was being treated with leukemia as well. My younger brother is a 24 year survivor of ALL leukemia, so research and support has always been so important to our family. I launched a writing campaign with my students and we began to shower St.Jude families with cards and letters. This began my support and love for Dax and so many other St.Jude families.

Your music is so beautiful and captured that time in Dax’s journey so well. Thank you for helping others learn of our HERO Dax Locke- he is a blessing and one I am so proud I got to meet!

One Day at a Time….

22. liz mcneill commented:

Fri 3/12/10, 10:35 pm

I am sorry to the Locke family first and foremost. Dax was a beautiful lil boy and is now an angel smiling down on your family. Secondly I would like to say how beautiful of a song this is and you Matthew have inspired so many by sharing this story with. It really makes you stop and think of how grateful some should be to have healthy thriving children. It truly is a blessing that some actually a lot take for granted. Tomorrow is never promised to any of us and these kinds of illnesses do not discriminate. God bless everyone and hope you all have a MERRY CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY SEASON.

23. Jacquie commented:

Sat 4/12/10, 6:15 am

Thank you so much for this tribute to Dax. As the grandparent of a St. Jude patient currently in remission, I can attest for the worthiness of this cause. I am a regular contributor to St. Jude, and I pray that your beautiful song will inspire others to give as well. God bless you for sharing this message!

24. Leah commented:

Sat 4/12/10, 9:05 am

Thank you for this song it made me and my friend cry… I love it.

25. Sue commented:

Sat 4/12/10, 9:45 am

Heartbreaking yet inspirational and amazing story and song.

26. zachery andrews commented:

Sat 4/12/10, 11:33 am

i was playing outside with my brother when i heard this song. my brother is only 5, so when i stopped playing, asked over and over why did you stop? when i started crying he teared up but kept playing. i love this song, god bless.

27. Lit(tle) boy. « hiding place. commented:

Sat 4/12/10, 8:00 pm

[...] the actual story about the little boy Dax Locke here, here, here, here, and here. The true copyright of this Story, though, is held by the Father of [...]

28. Tristan commented:

Sun 5/12/10, 6:33 pm

My family had the honor of knowing and prayer for Dax Locke when he was fighting for his life. I am now a nursing student at IWC college in Iowa and heard this song yesterday while listening to Air1, a christian on-line radio station, and studying for finals. This song brought tears to my eyes and reminded me how incredible God is! Thank you for this song and for living for God’s word and power! God Bless

29. Patty W commented:

Sun 5/12/10, 7:02 pm

I live in Central Illinois, know Dax Locke’s story and the tremendous outreach to his parents by the Washington and surrounding communities. I am a big fan of Matthew West and the song, “One Last Christmas” brings tears to my eyes everytime I hear it. Dax’s story touched so many and the song will do so even more! Christmas is always a joyous time with the celebration of the birth of Jesus and there is no doubt that Dax is in his arms and care. Thank you Matthew West for helping the Lock’s reach their goal for St. Jude.

30. Spencer commented:

Sun 5/12/10, 8:03 pm

Hello
I was just wondering dose the money from the sale of this song go towards the 1.6 Million that the Locke Family is trying raise?
I love this song and you did a wonderful job. =)

31. kathy commented:

Mon 6/12/10, 1:28 pm

i cried when i heard the song!this is such an inspiration to me! i dont have much money to donate but at the moment alls i can do is pray for the family! i just lost my grandma threw a canser battle! i was with her to her last breath! some have called me a hero but i dont want to be cause heros save lives and she lost hers to young! she was 51! we are struggleing threw the holidays! no money to pay our bills and not even buy xmas present! my christmas wish this year is to meet matthew west and feel the joy of christmas again! i try not to give up sometimes its hard! i cant sleep at nights and have alotta medical issues! but i do wanna say thank you so much matthew west!! your an amazing person! may God bless you~

32. Alyssa commented:

Mon 6/12/10, 6:49 pm

This song and video just touched me in a way I can’t even explain. I heard it on the Air1 Christmas player, and was moved by it. When it came on a second time, I had to find it. That led me to the video. I have not been that moved in such a long time. It’s amazing when God puts something there for you when you need it the most. I had been struggling with my faith lately, and this just brought everything into perspective. I can’t thank you enough for putting this story into song. Please keep doing what you are doing Matthew. You show people a picture of God that they may not have seen before.
To the Locke family: You are in my prayers. Nothing can be harder than losing a child, and you were so strong. I will never forget Dex’s story, and am planning on getting friends to donate to St. Jude’s in his honor so you can get that day being run in his name. Thank you for your strength.

33. Bonga commented:

Thu 9/12/10, 6:41 pm

May the great Lord be with Dax and his family its make me, relise how bless I’m,and to give thanx to God everyday, all is well with my soul,God bless Dax family be strong and not afraid..

34. Janet Elliott commented:

Tue 14/12/10, 8:34 am

I heard the song for the first time yesterday and watched the video. What an incredible story and song. When I was 10 years old, I spent a month in the St. Louis Children’s Hospital needing a life saving surgery. At the time, my parents didn’t have insurance and there was no Ronald McDonald house. My mom stayed with me, sleeping in a chair in my room while my dad stayed at home with my brothers and sister – home was an hour and a half away. Thirty-five years later, I remember what I went through but have thought long and hard on what my parents, and siblings, went through during that time as well. I feel very blessed and I’m thankful for those that reach out to children and families during times of crisis. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt story and God-anointed song!

35. Jason commented:

Tue 14/12/10, 11:57 am

I heard this song on Air1 this morning, and I sat there and cried my eyes out. A song has not done that to me and in very long time. I will appreciate my kids a lot more. Hope to see you again in Wilmore this summer.

36. Dianne James commented:

Wed 15/12/10, 11:26 pm

This song brings heartache and tears to me. Some dear friends lost their little boy this past year after his long fight with cancer. He would have turned 8 on Christmas Eve. His name was Bayler Teal. You can look up his story on FB by just typing in his name. Wonderful song …a true inspiration!

37. jeana worley commented:

Thu 16/12/10, 10:41 am

thanks for this wonderful song it is so good. i loved it more than you can imagie

38. Marci commented:

Tue 28/12/10, 2:46 pm

Wow. What a story. Thank you for sharing it and for all that you have done for this family along with those of us who needed to hear it. I have 2 beautiful & healthy boys-a nearly 6 year old and one who just turned 4. Everyday is a new challenge, but I pray I will do better at Cherishing Every Moment!
May God continue to Bless you.

39. Virginia commented:

Sat 1/1/11, 9:56 pm

I am orginally from the Washington, Illinois area and have lived in Alexandria, VA for a long time. I went home last year for the holiday season and heard the story of Dax from several family members.WHen I heard this song on WMZQ it made me cry and I immediately called my family to tell them I had heard this song. Thank you so much for this song and reminding me how lucky my family has been.

40. Cheyenne commented:

Thu 31/3/11, 5:40 am

Thank you for taking such a wonderful story and making it known to the world.I heard this story & the song on my way to work this morning on K-LOVE. I cried the entire way!

41. Janice Felker commented:

Tue 22/11/11, 10:29 am

Just saw you on Fox this am. My granddaughter, KK, is six and is a brain tumor patient at St. Judes Childrens Hosptial. As bad as families hate to be there it is the most wonderful place in the world. I have put on my Facebook for all my friends to download One Last Christmas in memory of Dax and in honor of KK and all the other children who are SURVIVORS!

42. 104.7/The Fish launches all Christmas as usual | Radio & TV Talk commented:

Wed 23/11/11, 6:44 am

[...] reluctant to play brand new Christmas songs, Fish did try out a couple last year, including Matthew West’s “One Last Christmas.” and TobyMac’s “Christmas This [...]

43. 104.7/The Fish launches all Christmas as usual, with B98.5 joining at noon | Christmas Ornaments Costumes commented:

Wed 23/11/11, 11:05 am

[...] demure to try out code new Christmas songs, Fish did hurl out a integrate final year, including Matthew West’s “One Last Christmas.” and TobyMac’s “Christmas This [...]

44. 104.7/The Fish launches all Christmas as usual, with B98.5 joining at noon : CCMRewind – Classic Christian Music Artist commented:

Wed 23/11/11, 2:58 pm

[...] reluctant to try out brand new Christmas songs, Fish did roll out a couple last year, including Matthew West’s “One Last Christmas.” and TobyMac’s “Christmas This [...]

45. Sarah commented:

Sat 3/12/11, 11:48 am

I love this song it touches my heart every time I hear it. My mom was diagnosed just over a year ago with breast cancer, and the doctors can no longer do anything for her. We know her life is coming to a close, she probobly won’t be with us in the new year, but we are dreaming of “one last christmas” with her. Thank you so much, though I cannot hope my childern will ever get to meet her or that she’ll be around for my 16 birthday or that she’ll see me drive, or cry on my wedding day, I now now have hope that I’ll have one last christmas with her. Thank you so much!

46. Jennifer Miller commented:

Sat 3/12/11, 9:14 pm

Matthew West-
Thank you so very much for telling this story through the wonderful gift with which you have been given through Him. It is an amazing story of life and death. One that has no doubt, had an effect on so many individuals. I have been forever changed by this song, this story, this life! I will continue to share this song…this story, with everyone I now. If one person is led to Christ through the life and death of Dax, then Dax has served an amazing, incredible purpose in his short time here on Earth. I truly believe his real life is being “lived” right now, in Heaven, with the One who created him.

47. lizzy commented:

Tue 13/12/11, 4:44 pm

I just watched the music video in my class and my teacher cried so bad, because his daughter is almost 13 months and he just could not imagine that happen to her.

48. #45 one last christmas | 10for52 commented:

Wed 14/12/11, 1:45 pm

[...] can read the whole story here, and watch the music video [...]

49. Karen commented:

Sat 17/12/11, 12:05 pm

My husband and I purchased your cd yesterday and listened to it in the van. Yesterday was 7 years since our 8 month old son passed away. As we listened to One Last Christmas, you mentioned the date of October 27 as the day they celebrated Christmas. October 27 was the day our son had open heart surgery. leaving home that morning. He never returned home but he did sit with Santa 2 days before he passed away. This song really touched us yesterday as we remembered Ryan. Beautiful cd Matthew!

50. amanda commented:

Tue 20/12/11, 3:52 pm

i was so touched by that song, i heard it first on air1 the best radio station ever, it taught me not to feal so bad for myself, instead, I should be helping others that are going thrue bad times. I am 12 years old and my name is Amanda

51. Jean Amico commented:

Thu 22/12/11, 6:52 pm

My son is a St. Jude long term survivor. It’s over 25 years since he was diagnosed with a highly malignant brain tumor at the age of 19 months.

52. Cheryl commented:

Mon 2/1/12, 9:27 am

It’s amazing how this song, inspired by a little one’s story, can touch so many. This song holds a special place in my heart as well, considering it is also the day my Dad celebrated his one last christmas,1 years ago after fighting a battle with neuroendocrine carcinoma. Thank you for the blessing.

53. Crystal commented:

Wed 4/1/12, 1:53 pm

This song is amazing and inspiring. I heard it from youtube when my uncle had told me about it and then I heard it again when I watched The Heart of Christmas. I couldn’t help but cry when I heard the lyrics to this song. Thank you Matthew West for this amazing song