- A Beijing orphanage is running out of space, but an American English teacher and his girlfriend decide to put on a Christmas pageant to raise money for a new wing. The plan looks great until Santa Clause and Jacob Marley's ghost show up.
- A Beijing Childrens Orphanage is running out of space. With winter coming, they might be forced to turn some children away. BEN MITCHELL, an American English teacher, and his girlfriend SHANG SHANG have a plan. They are going to put on a Christmas pageant to raise money for the orphanage.
Ben enlists the help of his English class. They begin to build the sets and rehearse for the big show. Ben encourages his class to study up on Christmas, so that they can understand about the holiday and why it is celebrated.
One student - LI JIN - 35 year old business woman, has no time for such matters. Her company is in the middle of a huge merger. She pushes herself and her employees around the clock. If they get tired or sick, they get fired. She has no time for incompetence. She lives and sleeps in her office, much to the chagrin of her family.
During this week, Li Jin is visited by three ghosts. One from the past, one from the present, and one from the future. They show her what life is really about and teach her the true meaning of Christmas.
Shiou Long is the 22 year old guitarist from the Beijing rock group the Marauders. He lives in a hole in the wall apartment with the rest of the band and his girlfriend. On the way home from English class, Shiou Long and his band are arguing over a song title. They dont see an old man who happens to wander out in front of them. They van hits him square on.
The old man is still alive. Strangely, he is a white man - fat and old, with a long white beard. The decision is made to take him back to the apartment to help him get well.
It turns out the old man is Santa Claus, but he has lost his memory. The band knows nothing about him, so they set out to find as much as they can about him. They have to reeducate Santa before Christmas
Ben Mitchell has his own problems. Shang Shang has begged him to take in one of the orphans who would otherwise be put out on the streets. Its just for a week, but Ben is not so sure. Tommy, a young 14 year old seems to be innocent enough, and Ben finally agrees. As they begin to rehearse the play, Tommy ends up getting the part of Joseph. He is a natural actor and Ben and Tommy seem to be becoming friends.
One night, however, Tommy steals some things from Bens apartment and runs away. Ben is angry and hurt, but also worried about the boy. Shang Shang and Ben search the streets looking for Tommy. Ben sees him and Tommy runs. Ben chases him through the streets of Beijing. He finally catches him and confronts him, but Tommy refuses to come back with him.
Tommy lives fine on the money he gets from selling Bens things. But he is soon beat up by some other kids and left alone and cold. As the snow begins to fall, Tommy has no one to turn to.
The night of the big show finally arrives. Everything is ready and in place - except for the role of Joseph. Tommy arrives, bruised and cold, just in time. Ben and Tommy share a moment, and then the show begins. Shiou Long and the Marauders provide the music. Shang Shang narrates the Christmas story and the children of the orphanage act out all the parts. Students from the English class fill in the other roles - Wise men and shepherds.
Santa watches from the audience. A tear trickles down his face as he slowly remembers the reason for Christmas. The show finishes and they have bad news - they have not raised enough money. No one knows what to say. Ben mouths a silent prayer.
The door busts open. Li Jin enters, carrying a check. She has convinced her company to pay for the new wing - and she is paying for a Christmas feast herself!
As the children enjoy the food, Shiou Long and the band leaves. They are startled when they cant find Santa anywhere. But inside their van is a bunch of new instruments. As they look at them, they hear the sound of sleigh bells in the background.
Ben and Tommy return to Bens house. They make up in front of Bens Christmas tree. Ben tells Tommy he is glad that he can spend Christmas with him. They exchange gifts and Ben finishes reading the Christmas.
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