The Christmas Card

In the midst of war in Afghanistan, U.S. Army Sergeant Cody Cullen clings to a Christmas card mailed by Faith Spelman. The card was passed to Cody by a fellow soldier who had received it from Faith's hometown of Nevada City, California. The soldier who gave him the card is killed, leaving Cody feeling isolated with no family of his own.

A few weeks before Christmas, Cody travels to Nevada City to visit Faith, the soldier's fiancée, hoping to understand the card's significance. He arrives with the intention of leaving after the visit, but something about Faith begins to change him.

Just as he is about to leave town, Cody meets Faith again at a local luncheonette, and they discover they have placed identical orders. The coincidence hints at a growing connection between the two, setting the stage for an unexpected romance.

Cody's rescue of Faith's father Luke from a speeding car earns Luke's gratitude and trust. Impressed by Cody's character, Luke invites him to stay on as temporary help at the family's logging company, drawing him deeper into Nevada City life.

Faith's longtime boyfriend Paul arrives in town and introduces an outsider's tension to the developing relationship. Paul travels frequently and resists Faith's wish to stay close to her family.

Cody and Faith realize they have stronger feelings for each other and share a kiss, despite Faith's efforts to keep distance. Their budding romance tests Faith's commitment to Paul and to staying near her family.

Paul unexpectedly asks Faith to marry him, and she says yes, even as she wrestles with staying near her tight-knit family. The engagement deepens the conflict between love, loyalty, and where Faith belongs.

On Christmas Eve, Cody and Paul meet on the church steps. Cody admits his love for Faith but implies he must let her go to marry Paul, while Faith and Paul step outside the church and decide to part ways.

Early on Christmas Day, Cody places a Christmas card on the family Christmas tree to guide them to a wooden bench he has built at a nearby lake—their favorite spot where Faith and Cody first kissed. He also leaves Faith a handwritten note with his confession and goodbye.

Faith reads Cody's note aloud, and Luke explains that Faith is the one who brought Cody to Nevada City, confirming the deep connection between Faith and Cody. The moment clarifies the emotional pull between them.

As Christmas unfolds, Faith contemplates a future that might finally align with Cody, while Cody remains hopeful yet resolves to step back if needed. The tension between staying near family and pursuing a life together tests both of them.

Faith finds Cody at the local Vietnam War veterans' memorial, chastising him for not saying goodbye. Before she can finish, he kisses her and she embraces him, suggesting a hopeful future together despite the past.