It's a Pokenberry Christmas

Two days before Christmas, Whit receives a worried letter from Mary Barclay. George is discouraged by low attendance at the First Church of Pokenberry Falls and by constant conflict with Barry Lionel, the town’s wealthy and powerful head elder. George has begun wondering whether he should remain the church’s pastor. Since neither he nor Eugene has immediate holiday plans, Whit invites Eugene to join him in visiting their old friend.

In Pokenberry Falls, the Barclay children enjoy the snow while preparing to celebrate Donna’s college scholarship. Jimmy turns sledding into the Pokenberry Falls Winter Olympics, and little Stewart longs for his father to join them. George cannot participate because Lionel has summoned him to discuss the church’s finances.

Lionel criticizes every expense, including sheet music and the annual Christmas banquet for people who are homeless or unemployed. He refuses to continue supporting programs that do not pay for themselves and accuses the struggling congregation of being lazy. George argues that the church exists to offer worship, fellowship, food, and hope, especially when people are suffering.

The argument exposes another motive. Lionel owns a resort and could add the church property to its golf course. He announces that Pokenberry Falls does not need its own congregation because residents can drive to churches in Rupert. Unless George finds the money to pay the bills, Lionel intends to close the church.

At the church office, treasurer Ellis Birch reveals an even greater crisis. Eight hundred dollars that he believed he deposited has never appeared in the bank account, and he cannot find either the money or a deposit slip. Without it or Lionel’s help, the church cannot meet its obligations. George sees the possible loss of local worship, community outreach, and years of Christian fellowship.

At home, one trouble follows another. The planned scholarship party has been moved from the cold church to the Barclay house, George has forgotten Mary’s Christmas wreath, and Stewart has hurt his ankle after a pedal broke while Tommy Welsh was teaching him to ride. George is also reminded that Tommy helped because George had been too busy to keep his own promise to teach Stewart.

Overwhelmed, George lashes out at his family, shouts at Jimmy for practicing music, and angrily telephones Tommy’s mother as though she is responsible for Stewart’s fall. Mary takes the telephone away, but the damage is done. Ashamed and miserable, George leaves without explaining where he is going.

George humiliates himself by begging Lionel for help and receives only mockery. Lionel tells him to accept the church’s death and find a lesser position elsewhere. Alone, George confesses to God that he feels he has failed as a pastor, husband, father, and friend.

Trying at least to repair Stewart’s bicycle for Christmas, George visits Mr. Welsh’s shop. The owner recognizes him as the man who made his wife cry and refuses to help, even after George apologizes. George leaves clutching the broken pedal and feeling that he has damaged one more relationship.

Whit and Eugene reach Pokenberry Falls and learn that George has disappeared. They search the increasingly snowy town and finally see him standing alone at the railing of an icy bridge. Believing that a desperate George may be preparing to jump, Eugene races forward despite Whit’s warning to slow down.

George is only thinking, but Eugene loses his footing on the slick bridge. As Whit cries out from behind them, George dives toward the river to save him.