Michael Jackson & Children -- Emotional Home Videos Tug Heart Strings in Court

Michael Jackson was a loving father who cared deeply for his 3 children ... and they suffered an immeasurable loss when he passed away -- at least that's what Jackson family lawyers tried to show in court with MJ's own candid home videos.

The videos -- both shot by Michael -- were played for the jury in the Jackson family's wrongful death lawsuit against AEG.

The first was shot on Christmas Day in 2006 ... when Prince was 9, Paris was 8, and Blanket was 4.

It's pretty touching -- Michael asks each of his children what they want to be when they grow up, and he really does sound like a caring father.

The other clip was shot years earlier -- when Prince and Paris were both toddlers. It's clear from the footage they both adore their dad, calling themselves "daddy's baby."