- Due to a road closure, eight strangers must take refuge in an abandoned church during a storm. They learn how to manage through various dilemmas by working together.
- It's Christmas Eve, and a snowstorm is blowing through the small town of Summit View. The roads are virtually empty, except for a group of vehicles that get stuck on a remote road on the outskirts of town. The seven people involved decide to take refuge in a nearby abandoned church. Those seven are: James, an ex-priest who is running away from his life and his vocation following the death of his wife and child; Darryl, an EMT who dreams of becoming a doctor, but who believes that dream will never materialize because of his dyslexia; wealthy married couple Drake and Madeleine, whose marriage and its problems are centered on money; newlyweds Nick and Christy, who find that they are arguing more and more ever since their wedding three days ago; and the only local among the bunch, Joe, who is separated from his wife Mary, largely because of their differing views of how to manage their family, most specifically in dealing with their autistic son, Matt. They are eventually joined by an eighth, Mary, who comes to provide some food and blankets to the stranded seven, but whose SUV also gets stuck by the church. As the eight interact with each other, they find that the true Christmas spirit comes to the surface which assists each with their own life problems, especially as they work together toward a common goal to help specifically Mary and Joe.—Huggo
- In Summit View (no state mentioned but one character is a Columbia student) Joseph and Mary are separated after 15 years of marriage. They have an autistic son Matt, whose behavior does not seem that out of the ordinary; he is also quite intelligent. Joseph spends too much time at his job as a contractor, and Mary feels he is neglecting the family. Matt really wants his father to come home for Christmas.
James Mason was a pastor. He lost his wife when she gave birth to a son who also died. Flashbacks show him preaching to a congregation that grows smaller and smaller.
Darryl was a medical student until his learning disability forced him to quit. He used to direct a choir and still plays guitar. When asked if he can sing, he says he sings in the shower and on Sunday, and later says he's no Johnny Cash. He's right. More like Garth Brooks or Brad Paisley.
Drake and Madeleine are lost because Madeleine is so demanding and her husband took a wrong turn. Now it's snowing and they're out in the middle of nowhere. Madeleine is always complaining about something. She wants the best of everything and her husband has money. Actually, first impressions can be deceiving.
Nick and Christy are idealistic newlyweds. He thinks she's too trusting and she thinks she should be nice to everyone. At first, though, they can't imagine they would ever fight.
Joseph is the first to encounter the fallen tree blocking the road. The snow is really coming down and one by one, everyone is stuck and there's apparently no way to get help on Christmas Eve, although cell phones do work, at first. That's how Joseph lets the family know what has happened.
It just so happens that Joseph's former church is walking distance from where the group is stranded. When their pastor died, attendance began to decline and eventually, the church closed its doors. It wasn't all that long ago because Matt remembers going to that church. The group takes shelter and takes advantage of whatever the church has to offer, which isn't much. There are a few pews, candles, and a wood stove.
Mary leaves Matt with baby sitter Jennifer and heads for the church in a new SUV that can handle anything, with food and supplies. But she soon gets stranded herself, so what she brought will have to help the group make it until they get rescued.
Everyone in the group has one or more problems that need solving. So as they help each other survive the night, they also help to change each other's lives. And there is one more new crisis to provide even more excitement.
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