The premiere episode introduces Eric Camden, who's a minister, a father of five, happily married, and a soon-to-be dog owner. His wife, Annie Camden is a stay-at-home mom raising their children. Matt Camden is the oldest child who has picked up a habit of smoking and not being able to keep a job. Mary Camden is the oldest daughter who likes to play basketball a lot and is having a craving for wanting to kiss a boy. Lucy Camden is the middle child and is hoping to become a woman and getting her period very soon. Simon Camden is the youngest son and is hoping to get a dog very soon, even though his parents already told him that he's too young. Ruthie Camden is the youngest child and is a happy and adorable five-year-old. Also, Annie learns some devastating news when her parents come for a visit.

Matt shocks his family when he reveals his secret--that he is very close friends with a teenage pregnant girl, Renee. Right away Matt tells them that he is not the father of her baby, but just trying to help her out. Meanwhile, Mary is keeping her new boyfriend a secret from Matt. Lucy gets a surprise with her secret crush on classmate Jimmy Moon. Also, Eric gets a surprise of his own when he discovers his shoes keep on disappearing while Matt's friend Renee finds some help from an unusual ally--Eric. Annie finally reveals the shocking truth to Matt about his grandmother.

Annie continues to suffer through her mother's recent diagnosis. Annie then decides to go to Arizona to visit her parents and see what is going on with them. Meanwhile, Eric volunteers for a charity work, but he's unable to do it at the last minute. Matt then volunteers to do it, but his dating habits get him into trouble with the organization he is doing charity for. Also, Mary decides to call it a quits with Jeff while Lucy has her first real date with her classmate Jimmy Moon. Lastly, when Annie returns home with her parents, they decide to stay with her and the rest of the family so that they could spend some more time with them--which unfortunately will be the last for Annie's mom, Jenny.

All Eric's planning and fussing proves pretty pointless, with the whole family pacing and worrying in hospital, while Annie is in labor and the animals are left unattended at home. Matt painstakingly works up the courage to donate blood, a phobia. Meanwhile Lucy breaks up with Jordan.

Everyone but Lucy is stuck home celebrating the twins' birthday on Valentine's Day; Lucy and Jeremy keep running into Lucy's ex-boyfriend.

A big storm interferes with Lucy & Kevin's wedding plans. Kevin's family and many of the guests have trouble getting to the church.

Lucy's life gets more complicated personally and professionally when she begins to feel the presence of her late Grandma Jenny visiting her and warning her of the challenges that are coming in her life. Meanwhile, Annie and Ruthie decide to take a day off together to unwind. Rose is angry with Simon for neglecting to tell her that he slept with Sandy. Lastly, Eric unintentionally shakes things up between Rose and Simon.

A few days before what Eric thinks might be his last Christmas with the whole Camden clan, he wakes up in heaven, which looks rather like Glenoak, and is welcomed by his loving mother-in-law and deceased people who appreciate what he did for them and their loved ones and worry about the mortals still on earth, including the Camden family who are preparing for Christmas--even Lucy and Kevin are back early from San Francisco. While in heaven Eric is offered miraculous Christmas gifts for his family, all things he generously gave his parishioners, such as time for Matt and Mary to spend on their families and erasers for memories which poison relationships. His family decides to extend their annual Charity Day to 3 days: 1 because it feels good, 1 as Eric's favorite present, and 1 for the infant Jesus. The best might be his own gift: everybody has a bunch of guardian angels, and the experienced one in charge of his paperwork is processing an application from colleague Stanley to grant his suggested wish for more time alive on earth.