A 25th anniversary release of the popular Church movie "Mr. Krueger's Christmas" is being offered to the public, according to an announcement from the First Presidency.
The DVD will be packaged with the December issue of the Ensign for subscribers. DVD and VHS versions, which include three other programs, are also available for purchase through Church distribution centers, according to the letter signed by President Gordon B. Hinckley and his counselors, President Thomas S. Monson and President James E. Faust.
Online, the items can be purchased at www.ldscatalog.com. Also included on the DVD and video, which are in English only, are "The Restoration," "The Nativity," and "God So Loved the World: Carols of Christmas" sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
With the First Presidency letter "are suggestions for priesthood leaders, members, and missionaries on how to use these presentations to share the gospel with others.
For priesthood leaders, suggestions include informing members of the member-missionary effort and encouraging them to share the DVD with their friends and neighbors. Leaders and members can tell about ideas and results from the missionary effort by sending an e-mail to MrKruegersChristmas@ldschurch.org.
Suggestions for members include viewing the DVD during a family home evening and discussing who might be prepared to receive its message, and inviting friends to their homes to watch the DVD. They are also encouraged to watch "The Restoration" with their guests.
"Mr. Krueger's Christmas" was originally produced as a TV special to be broadcast in December 1980. By Christmas day, it had been seen on more than 120 television stations in the United States.
Hollywood star Jimmy Stewart portrays Mr. Krueger, a widowed custodian who daydreams of being wealthy, dignified and surrounded by friends. At one point, he goes to sleep listening to a Tabernacle Choir record and dreams he is conducting the choir himself. Also in the show, he daydreams that he is in Bethlehem where he is able to speak to the baby Jesus.
According to an article in the Nov. 29, 1980, Church News, after making the film, Mr. Stewart said, "I like it because it tells the real, true reason Christmas is celebrated — the birth of Jesus Christ."
The other major star of the production was the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, directed by Jerold D. Ottley. After filming the scene where Mr. Stewart directed the choir, choir members gave him a standing ovation, according to the Church News article.
"The Restoration," the story of Joseph Smith's First Vision, was released in 2004. "The Nativity" is a 5-minute portrayal of the birth of the Savior, beginning with Joseph and Mary arriving in Bethlehem and finding no room at the inn.
"God So Loved the World: Carols of Christmas," the longest segment on the DVD at 1 hour, 16 minutes, is performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Besides the title hymn, it includes, "Joy to the World," "Whence Is That Goodly Fragrance Flowing?" "The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy," "What Shall We Give to the Babe in the Manger?" "Ding Dong Merrily on High," and "The First Noel."