Rufus, a bus driver, is a sweet older man who loves his students. On a day close to Christmas, they ask him what a Christmas miracle is. Rufus doesn't have time to respond as he arrives at the school. However, all day he ponders the question. This causes him to recall a traumatic Christmas from his past. He and his father went out to cut down trees for their house. Everything appeared normal until he found his mother on the staircase, moaning in pain. His mother told him everything was fine, but later that night, she died. As Rufus reminisces more and more, the events become surreal. He starts to dream of cutting down a tree. Rufus doesn't want to cut the tree, fearing it will hurt the being. However, as he cuts the tree, he feels so happy and notices that his feet don't leave any traces in the snow. Meanwhile, the children have finished school and go to the school bus. They notice that Rufus is sitting in the driver's seat, not moving. The children tap the window, and Rufus opens the door. However, he doesn't address the kids and remains in his prone position. Rufus then drives the bus in the same position and drops the kids off. Once again, Rufus doesn't move when the children say goodbye, causing the children to ask an adult for help. A doctor is called, and he reveals that Rufus died from a heart attack hours ago. The whole town is stunned, and everyone wonders how Rufus conducted the bus while dead. The city then realizes that it was a Christmas miracle.