Jamie is an intelligent but rather self centered almost-nine year old girl who is counting and shaking her presents on Christmas Eve. After a failed attempt to read the Christmas story, Jamie's father gives her a strange gift- a wooden statue of an old, fat, balding angel with tattered wings. Because of a wish that Jamie makes earlier in the evening, the statue comes to life at her bedside, and the irascible old angel takes her on a magical journey back in time to the first Christmas night in Bethlehem.

During her night's adventure, Jamie manages to meet two of the wise-men, a couple of shepherd boys, and eventually a shivering, young new mother, where Jamie's spontaneous act of kindness changes Christmas forever.