Miriam has always wanted a dog. But times are hard, and her father's health problems mean that there's very little money left for luxuries after feeding the family and paying for medical bills. When her neighbor's dog has puppies, Miriam spends as much time as she can playing with them, and pretending they are hers. But when tragedy strikes, Miriam's dreams of owning a dog fade in light of a more urgent need.When rumors of war and uncertainty make their way into the everyday activities of her little town, Miriam puts her energy into preparing Christmas gifts and surprises for her family and friends. But when Moses goes missing there is little celebration left in Miriam's heart. It seems only a Christmas miracle can bring back the joy of the season, but how many miracles can one really expect in a single year?