Hans, a young journeyman violin maker, meets and falls in love with Christel. But he has to go to Milan for a year. Before he leaves, the two get engaged. Christel's mother, who is against the union, intercepts Hans' letters from Italy.

German silent film

On Christmas Eve in 1818, parish assistant Joseph Mohr is on the road. Despite the freezing cold, he has just blessed a poor farming family and is now on his way back to Oberndorf near Salzburg. Once home, the assistant pastor puts his thoughts into a poem on this quiet night. His friend, the teacher and organist Gruber, is asked to compose a melody for it. The birth of the world's most famous Christmas carol.

The latest woman marrying into the Tanhoff family has to overcome the ancient curse, that she will die giving birth.