CHRISTMAS IN CANAAN with Billy Ray Cyrus on Hallmark Channel

Watch a preview and check out photos of Hallmark’s original movie, CHRISTMAS IN CANAAN which premieres Saturday December 12 at 8p.m. The movie encores Saturday, December 12 (10p.m. ET/PT, 9CT), Sunday, December 13 (12a.m. ET/PT, 11p.m. CT) and (8p.m. ET/PT, 7CT), Friday, December 18 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7CT) and Saturday, December 19 (2p.m. ET/PT, 1CT).

This story will definitely warm your heart and is a perfect movie to watch to get you ready for the holidays. Although I liked last week’s movie, Mrs. Miracle better, I did enjoy Christmas in Canaan, and I think a lot of people will as well. And if you are a fan of Billy Ray Cyrus, then you need to make sure you don’t miss this movie.

Christmas in Canaan Synopsis: Widower Daniel Burton (Cyrus) is doing his best to raise his three children on a limited income. But living in Canaan, TX, during the Civil Rights Movement, he soon faces more than just financial difficulties. His 10-year-old son, DJ (Zak Ludwig, “Martian Child”), has made an enemy of his classmate, Rodney (Jaishon Fisher, “Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story”), simply because Rodney is black. In an attempt to remedy the situation, Daniel and Rodney’s grandmother, Miss Eunice (Candus Churchill, “The Andromeda Strain”), decide to force the boys to spend time together. It’s slow going at first, but when the boys come upon a wounded puppy, their shared compassion pushes any racial tensions aside, and a lasting friendship is forged.
The boys remain friends through their teenage years, and when Miss Eunice dies, Rodney (Matt Ward, “Lullaby For Pi”), goes to live with DJ (Jacob Blair, “2012″) and his family. With money tight as always and the holidays approaching, Daniel can’t afford the presents he wishes he could give his family, and he tries to find a way to make Christmas special. What he does give them is a sense of hope, which Rodney in particular takes to heart. But when racial tensions rise in Canaan, the Burtons’ white neighbors try to destroy the hope Rodney and the rest of the black community have built up. As he comes to understand the true meaning of family, Rodney will soon have to decide where he belongs and what to do with the inspiration the Burtons have given him.

Christmas in Canaan stars Billy Ray Cyrus (Daniel Burton), Jaishon Fisher (Young Rodney), Zak Ludwig (Young DJ), Jessica McLeod (Young Sarah), Darien Provost (Young Bobby), Tom Heaton (Wylie), Matt Ward (Older Rodney), and Jacob Blair (Older DJ).

(Photos: Courtesy of Hallmark)

Author: Sandie | December 11, 2009 | 14 Comments

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Shirley

I am a big fan of Billy Ray Cyrus. I have read the book by Kenny Rogers and Donald Davenport. Enjoyed it very much. I am so looking forward to watching and taping this movie tonight. Thanks for your article and pics. Love the group one off all the cast.
Amanda

love the movie, awesome!!
Brenda Bunte

I loved the show it was great. Billy Ray I think you are the greatest actor, and singer. I also love you daughter Mile.
halima

i really enjoyed the movie i just finish watching it, i love heart warming movies like this. i was glad to see a black and white boys befriend each other since the setting was back in the 60′s which that’s my time i grew up. i loved and miss the 60′s and 70′s i didn’t go threw hard times of racial remarks against me, im native american and up north so i know people had it more hard in the south back then. im glad to know that their are still people in this time and day that’s another race and would take a child in need in. everyone in the movie did a good job. hope to see more movies like this. was this a true story?
Larry Cordova

Thank you for a Great Heart warming story!!! i have no family and wish i did. i have nothing in this ole world at all. but my heart and my honor. what a great story and a compassionate direction.
i remember one christmas where we had hardly nothing and we did give paper gifts. times have changed and so has this body. thank you for a reminder of some really great times in my life even though we had nothing we had each other. my mother worked every jobshe could get her hands on and my father left us high and dry.i have no regrets. but i do wish i could have a family.
i worked hard allmy life and well i just worked my way into a lonely home. well thank you!! all and god bless you Mr.Cyrus
catarino silgero

This was the best movie ever. The cast should get a grammy! I love this movie. Billy ray great job. TELL the cast an crew the same
Cindy

I have just finish watching the show, I laughed and cryed thru it. It was really something I needed to see for this Christmas. For I just got home from walking all thru the department store wishing I had the money for my kids and grandkids this year, for a really nice Christmas from Maw Maw’s house. I am a divorced woman and I have 4 grown children, (3 married) and 3 precious grandchildren with times that are alittle tight this year. I realized that the greatest gift is knowning my Lord and how he has given to me these children and grands to help show and teach them the true meaning of Christmas. I was brought up with 2 loving parents and taught to love all black and white,all of HIS children. I was looking forward to seeing this show, which the title struck me, since my last son’s name is Canaan. When I named him that I knew I had seen it somewhere, but didn’t realize where till I had a shower at the church and the little ladies (like the grandma in the show) informed me of how to pronouce it and what it meant. After having this child my life changed in so many ways, but I always knew my Lord was right beside me and I was walking down the path that he had laid for me to travel on and still do(his yellow brick road). I have been thru trials of deaths with cancer, divorce, poor, Canaan in the US ARMY in Iraq, but also joys of Canaan returning safe,health, happiness, new births, friends, and family. I know now what I am going to give this Christmas to my kids, the Gift of Hope wrapped in pretty boxes filled with my love and HIS. Thank you so much for showing this and I will watch it every night I can. There is one thing, where can I purchase the book, if there is one called Christmas in Canaan. Thankyou again for showing me HIS light tonight, the GIFT OF HOPE.,
GOD BLESS YOU, Merry Christmas to all, Cindy
Diana Grogel

Is that Carlton Carpenter appearing as the grandfather? Why doesn’t his name appear anywhere. The Grandfather’s role was significant. I’m an old time fan from the good old 50′s.
jeff

when will it be on dvd

http://www.daemonstv.com/author/sandie/ Sandie

Sorry Jeff, but I couldn’t find any information for the DVD release. I would suggest checking the Hallmark website on a regular basis for any updates.

Allison Wallenfelsz Chapman

I grew up across the street (and up the dip, ha-ha), from Billy Ray in Flatwoods, Ky. and without a doubt the character he portrayed is not far from the kind hearted person he is in real life. We both grew up very modestly in our little town and am certain we’re both better off for that blessing. The story was beautifully done, Congratulations and God Bless you, yours and the entire cast and crew:)
Rock On, much love,
Allison
mike

I LOVE this movie.
http://unknow ashley

hi

my first time see of movie and it is kool and i wonder is real story it i feel to real story to mw and i love of good story i hope stay fan of them and i hope u good still kepp christmas future ….
good job story and movie too…

merry christmas to them from ashley

shirley

Ashley no its not a true story but still a very good one. It was written by Kenny Rogers and Donald Davenport. I can watch it everytime it is on. It is just so inspiring. There will be a sequel next year written By Donald Davenport. I cant wait for this. I may be called Christmas returns to Canaan.