Rachel Dulaney never expects a Christmas miracle to happen at St. Anselm's Church, also known as the Apple Chapel. However, the water in the pewter goblet inexplicably changes to wine. When it happens again, her friend Angela drinks it. Together they tell the handsome Father Joe about the mysterious event. On Twelfth Night they attend the, "Howling," a riotous Wassailing of the orchard. Why are there jus-jus on the young trees? Why are reserve hosts and wine missing from the sacristy? Soon, they are involved in unravelling the bizarre rituals begun by Eleanor and her hard-core reenactor brother obsessed with the graves of Civil War soldiers buried beside Saint Anselm's Church. Meanwhile, a warm relationship grows between Rachel and minister.