The widow McDowell and her seven-year-old son Thomas ask the gruff Jonathan Toomey, the best wood-carver in the valley, to carve the figures for a Christmas creche.

Unable to sleep on Christmas Eve, four children creep downstairs to see the tree, their stockings, their wrapped gifts, and to hear the singing of the carolers.

Walter, the family dog with a nose for trouble, creates problems for his young mistress because he keeps sniffing out and unwrapping the Christmas presents.

Shortly before Christmas, Santa discovers that the sleigh needs major repairs and the reindeer are out of shape, and so the elves build him a jet to use on his annual trip.

During the Great Depression, Jack helps his mother make cookies for the needy at their church, learns the story of how the first Christmas cookies were used to spread the gospel to people who could not read, then finds a way to bring that story to life.

Just before Christmas, when Frances sees a sad-eyed organ grinder and his monkey performing near her apartment, she cannot stop thinking about them, wondering where they go at night, and wishing she could do something to help.

On a silent night, Little Owl, some shepherds, camels, and traveling men follow a star to see a baby in a manger.

More than anything, Eddie wants a bicycle for Christmas, but his grandfather shows him the magic there can be in a simple gift made with love.

When Lizzie and Ben discover a homeless lady living in their neighborhood, they must reconcile their desire to help her with their mother's admonition not to talk to strangers.