A well-known children's author retells the world's best-known story with humor, originality, and excitement. Daniel is ten and loves the magic of Christmas. He is a great friend of John Duffy, the village carpenter, who carves nativity figures, some of whom resemble the villagers. One night just before Christmas, Daniel waits until the village is asleep and then he steps into the nativity scene to examine the carvings more closely. At once a wondrous adventure begins and he is transported to Bethlehem just before the birth of the Christ child. He meets the shepherds and the Magi and is soon in mortal danger from Herod's murdering soldiers. When Daniel returns, he is astonished to discover that the gold coin the Magi gave him is still in his pocket.