Tormented and self-proclaimed shepherd of the church – Father Jonathan Keene travels to a benumbed winter town in Cape Cod. His intent is to shut down a rumored renegade and negligent priest. Father Simeon Joyce, a friend from the seminary originally appears to have lost his way, and Father Keene is hell-bent to save the church or shut it down. With only several members attending mass, Father Keene offers the alleged maladroit, Father Simeon, a chance at redemption by planning to stage a live outdoor Christmas crčche populated with the quirky, yet delightful parishioners. Trouble ensues when seeking someone to play the part of Mary. Father Simeon and Father Keene collide and it soon becomes abundantly clear that they will learn from each other. A young woman, the town’s librarian - Marjorie Worthington, has a mysterious and haunting past, pierced with secrets. Father Simeon offers sanctuary, and withholds from condemning her.

A lateral storyline develops as the traveling Father Keene appears to have a shadowy past of his own. An occasional manifestation apparition of a beautiful young girl who both haunts and beckons him forward in spite of his obvious misgivings about Marjorie and her unforgivable past. Father Keene’s bitter and icy pretense begins to melt as his life intersects with Marjorie who despite her guilt and self tormenting due to her past mistakes, reaches out to him in tenderness, recognizing something of herself in him. With Marjorie’s secrets exposed, they mirror Keene’s own intense past and causes deep reflection which shatters his rough exterior. Through his young angelic guide, Keene is led to Marjorie in whose arms he finds a second chance and redemption. It is a clear message. Christmas is forgiving. Christmas is for giving. Audiences of all faiths, saints and sinners alike, will applaud this graceful tale of salvation.

Reviewed By:  Linda Shattuck