Darryl Brandt fails as husband/father because alcohol abuse renders him mean and lazy. Without consulting the kids or having a clear plan, his wife Lynn sneaks out for good at Christmastime. She takes a measly waitress job, and her model son must rebuild his life and still try to be a substitute father for spoiled little sister Sara. Thomas get picked on beyond newbie-hazing in high school when the cool kids find out his family is dirt-poor; the jocks' top dog even makes it a personal vendetta when AA ''nerd" Thomas tries out for "his" basketball team and is at least as good at it as he is. Kevin Morrell, who wrestles with a business in trouble and a problem twins pregnancy, seeks solace by returning to pastor and coach Graham Cody's big-brother program and becomes Thomas's mentor. At Christmas, things get complicated around the Salvation Army's Paper Angels program to anonymously fulfill poor kids' wishes..—KGF Vissers
An abused wife leaves her alcoholic husband and moves with her children to another town, where their lives become entwined with that of another family in trouble.