'Journey in Search of Christmas' Summary

Lin McLean is a cowboy who rides into frontier Cheyenne, Wyoming, at Christmastime. He is a hard-bitten man who has seen a lot of violence and death. He is also a man who is haunted by his past. Lin meets a young boy named Billy who is desperately trying to find the true meaning of Christmas. Billy's father is a gambler who has lost all of their money, and their family is about to be evicted from their home. Lin takes pity on Billy and helps him find a job. He also gives Billy a horse named Star, which the boy loves. As Christmas approaches, Lin and Billy spend more and more time together. Lin tells Billy stories about his past, and Billy tells Lin about his dreams for the future. Gradually, Lin begins to change. He starts to see the world through Billy's eyes, and he begins to believe in the power of love and hope. On Christmas Eve, Lin and Billy go to church together. Lin is moved by the beauty of the service, and he realizes that he has found the true meaning of Christmas. He is no longer a hard-bitten cowboy. He is a man who has been redeemed by the love of a child.