Widowed Elizabeth gets ready for the birth of her baby with the help of her friends, Abigail and Rosemary. The trio gets stuck in a storm and must do their best to fend off a Christmas Eve disaster. In between lending a hand to Elizabeth and avoiding the holiday emergency, Abigail is also preparing to welcome a bunch of visitors to Hope Valley. One section of those visitors is a group of orphans and their chaperons who find themselves stranded in the picturesque Canadian town. While much of the town is ready to welcome the orphans, Bill Avery may have to make a difficult decision about their presence. With hope, heart and dedication, the residents of the charming town must come together in order to capture the magic of the season.

In the season 5 finale, the citizens of Hope Valley struggle to come to terms with Jack's death, and rally to give Elizabeth comfort as she grieves. Then, in spite of the darkness that everyone feels, a glimmer of hope shines through when one of the town's residents receive some surprising news.

The widow of Lee's former silent partner arrives and gives Gowen a chance to run a company again, Elizabeth tutors an unexpected new student and the residents of Hope Valley conspire to pull off a surprise.

Bill is put in serious jeopardy while transporting AJ to face trial. Abigail tries to save the town from an investor who will hurt Hope Valley. Carson is faced with a life and death medical decision. Elizabeth tries to reunite a mother and her son.

Elizabeth assigns her students to follow business leaders in Hope Valley for a day. Meanwhile, Abigail and the town host two possible investors for the failing bank. Bill s life is disrupted when AJ Foster arrives and turns herself in.

Jack and Elizabeth's marriage is put to the test; Pastor Frank and Abigail resolve the future of their relationship; Bill helps a young girl solve a mystery.

Jack and Elizabeth's plan to get married is put in serious jeopardy; Bill has difficulty transporting a prisoner.

Abigail tries to figure out how to keep the town's bank afloat; Elizabeth struggles to understand what troubles one of her young students; Rosemary goes overboard planning Jack and Elizabeth's wedding.

Jack returns and begins planning his future with Elizabeth; Elizabeth teaches her students the difference between facts and speculation; the town is put on edge when Lee cannot withdraw funds to pay his employees.

Elizabeth mentors Julie, who finds teaching more difficult than she imagined; Abigail has to find a way to convince the railroad to build its depot in Hope Valley.

Abigail leaves town to testify on behalf of Henry while Bill joins her, but will testify against him. Abigail must convince a strict judge to give Henry a second chance but it seems like the odds are against it. With Bill gone, Lee is made acting sheriff and, despite Rosemary's encouragement, isn't confident that he is up to the task. Still anxiously awaiting Jack's return from the Northern Territories, Elizabeth is given a diversion thanks to a surprise visit from her sister, Julie, who reveals to Elizabeth the surprising career path she's decided to take. Clara thinks it may be time for a break from Jesse but becomes jealous when she sees Jesse spending time with Julie. Dr. Carson is determined to stop a traveling salesman selling a tonic that has caused a stomachache epidemic in town, which leads to a surprising arrest.