Stephen is dreading Christmas now that his parents are divorced and he, his sister, and his father are living in a new home with his new Jewish stepmother and new stepbrother.After a skirmish between Stephen's dog, Dewey, and his stepfamily's cat, Stephen leaves the house in a huff, Dewey in tow. While the pair is out, they encounter an elderly neighbor who teaches Stephen an unforgettable lesson about family and sheds light on the common meaning of several winter festivals.