Finding Father Christmas

The film begins in Seattle, where Miranda Chester is a successful but lonely home stager who avoids Christmas festivities because they remind her of her mother, Eve, who died on stage during a performance of 'A Christmas Carol' when Miranda was nine. A stagehand returns a suitcase of Eve's belongings to Miranda, containing a hidden photo of a boy with 'Father Christmas' and a playbill for 'The Tempest' from Carlton Heath, Vermont. Miranda travels to the town and stays at an inn run by Katherine and Andrew. She meets their son, Ian, a lawyer and handyman who offers to help her find the origins of the photo. Ian takes her to the local theater, which was renovated by the late James Whitcomb. Miranda begins to suspect James is her father after seeing a 'Christmas Angel' bracelet in the photo that matches one her mother owned. Her investigation leads her to the Whitcomb family home, where she sees the original photograph and realizes the boy in it is Peter Whitcomb, James's son. This confirms that James Whitcomb had an affair with her mother while he was married. Fearing that the truth will hurt James's widow, Margaret, and his son, Peter, Miranda decides to leave town without saying anything. However, Andrew, the innkeeper, suffers a mild heart attack, and Ian must step into the role of Scrooge for the town's play. Miranda stays to help Ian rehearse, and they grow closer. On Christmas Eve, after the performance, Miranda attends a cast party at the Whitcomb home. Margaret notices Miranda's bracelet and a poem James wrote that mentions 'Eve.' Miranda eventually confesses her identity to Margaret. In a surprising twist, Margaret reveals she already knew about the affair; James had confessed it years ago when they briefly separated. Margaret welcomes Miranda with open arms, and though Peter is initially angry, he eventually accepts Miranda as his sister. The film ends with Miranda finally finding a sense of belonging and sharing a romantic sleigh ride with Ian.