Followingaprologuesetinwar-tornformerYugoslavia,thefilmfollowsseveraldifferentChristmascelebrationsinthesmallNorwegiantownofSkogli.Paulisathirty-three-year-oldlaborerwhomarchesintohisdoctor'sofficedemandingaprescription,thenproceedstolaybareallhiswoes.Thedoctorisbeleagueredbyhisownmaritalandfinancialdifficulties(he'slefthisupsetwifetoworkemergencycallsonChristmasEve).There'salsoanelderlymanpreparinganesotericritual,avagrantwhorunsintoanoldflame,amiddle-agedcoupleinthethroesofpassion,aboyhopelesslyinlovewithhisMuslimneighborandayoungémigrécouplewhosecarbreaksdownasthewomangoesintolabor.