Levi Yoder permits Amish turned Englisher, Margaret Goodman, to visit his son, Luke, a week at Christmas each year. Stubborn, unbending Levi threatens to stop her visits if she gives Luke a journal on Christmas day. Levi doesn't want his son to know he told the boy lies that only Margaret and Levi's father, Jeremiah, knows. Fearing Margaret will reveal the truth and turn Luke against his father, Levi makes her visit miserable, hoping she will leave before Christmas. If that happens, Margaret realizes that her hope, that some day Levi will treat her like he did years ago when they were in love, will be dashed.