- Mikey Goldman searches for the Messiah to comfort his dying grandfather Abe. / Removing paint from an antique mirror, shop owner Frank Standish sees an alien landscape that is used to rid himself of his unwanted partner.
- When his grandfather is ailing, a nine-year-old Jewish boy runs out looking for the Messiah. His grandfather said that he will appear big and black against the sky, striking down their enemies. When he gets into trouble and is saved by a black man, he brings him home to his grandfather, announcing that he had found him.—laird-3
- In order to stay alive in order to care for his orphaned grandson, an elderly Jewish man pins all his hopes on the coming of the messiah. An antiques store owner plans to get rid of his annoying business partner with the help of a mirror that has an alien landscape on the other side of it.
- In the ghetto of a big city, it's Christmas. Dr. Morris Levine goes to a tenement apartment on Mott Street to check on his patient, Abraham Goldman. After examining Abraham, Levine checks the old man, who talks about his brother Sam who owns land in California and is selling off much of his land will soon close a million dollar deal, and send the money he owes to Abraham. Levine tells Abraham that he's close to pneumonia, and recommends hospitalization. Abraham says that his grandson Mikey's parents are dead, and the old man is responsible for the boy. When Levine says that he may have to call in Child Services, Abraham says he won't give up his grandson.
Levine asks what he should tell the Angel of Death, and Abraham says that he will spit in the Angel's eye. He announces that the Messiah will come to Mott Street, and as Levine leaves, Mrs. Moretti comes to the door. They talk in the hallway, and Moretti says that Abraham has a grandson and Mikey can't live there. When Levine mentions Sam, Moretti says that Sam is in a retirement home and suffering from delusions. Levine asks her to wait a day to not make any decisions about Mikey until then.
Mikey comes home and prepares tomato soup for Abraham and himself. Abraham tells Mikey that he has more to eat than that, and Mikey talks about school. The old man says that he shouldn't have loaned money to Sam, and talks about the Messiah. He tells Mike about the Messenger of God, and will arrive, strike down his enemies, and lift them up to Heaven. Abraham is seized by a coughing fit and says that he's eaten enough, and he'll have something later. He then tells Mikey that the boy is his solace and pride, and the dearest thing on Earth to him. They hug, and then Mikey takes the food to the kitchen.
Once Abraham is alone, he sees a shadow and says that he knows who it is. He tells the Angel of Death that he's not ready for him, and defiantly tells the Angel that he'll take the woes and won't give up his grandson. He throws a candle at the door, and Mikey hears the noise comes in. The shadow disappears, and Mike says that he saw it. Goldman calls Mikey over and tells him that the Messiah was there and wanted Goldman to deliver a message that shortly he'll be there, and arrange a warehouse for all of Mikey's present and ice cream. Mikey tells Michael to tell the Messiah just to make Abraham well, and hugs his grandfather. Goldman says that he already told the Messiah that they're inseparable.
Mikey goes out onto the street to look for the Messiah. He encounters a street fanatic, who tells people to repent. Mikey asks if he's messiah, and the fanatic says that he is. When Mikey says that his grandfather is sick, the fanatic says that of course he is, and will soon die of his sinful inequity. Mikey figures the man isn't the messiah, and the fanatic says that Mikey and Abraham will both soon die.
A black man, Buckner, comes up and sends the fanatic on his way, telling him to stop frightening kids. Mikey thinks Buckner, who is big and black and looming against the sky, is the Messiah and says as much. Buckner asks what the matter is, and Mikey tells him about his ailing grandfather and how he needs the Messiah. He takes Mike to his tenement, and they find a police car parked outside the apartment. The policeman says that the old man can't be moved, and Mikey runs to the apartment and finds Levine there. The doctor tells Mikey that his grandfather can't have company, and sends him to get ready for bad.
Buckner comes in the apartment door, and Levine goes to Abraham and tells him that he came back and found Abraham unconscious and barely breathing. Abraham says that the Angel of Death came there and said he would be back at midnight, in five minutes, and Death can't wait.
Levine goes out into the living room and closes the bedroom door behind him. Buckner introduces himself and Levine sarcastically asks him to use any messianic powers he has. Buckner asks the doctor if he believes in the Angel, and Levine says that he believes in miracles, and that's what Abraham needs. Mikey comes in and Levine tells him to kiss Abraham good night and not wake him up.
A wind blows in through the window, and Buckner asks Levine if it was just the wind. Mikey comes out and says that his grandfather is pale. Levine tells the boy that Abraham is very sick. Mikey says that Buckner can cure Abraham, and the wind blows through the room again. Mikey goes to his grandfather, who is laying in bed unconscious without a shadow over him. Buckner closes the door and tells Levine to leave the boy alone. Levine snaps at Buckner and then apologizes, and the door closes on its own.
Mikey comes out, revealing Abraham sitting up well in his bed. He tells Levine that he had a nightmare of the Angel of Death, the Messiah, and somebody in the living room. Buckner is gone, and Levine doesn't remember him. Mikey remembers going out to find the Messiah, but failed. Levine confirms that Abraham's in good condition. The Christmas bells outside ring, and Levine tells Abraham not to worry about him. Abraham shows him the letter from Sam about selling land, and Levine tells the old man that he doesn't mind waiting. Abraham admits that he's playing a game with himself, and it would take the Messiah to get money out of Sam.
There's a knock at the door and Mikey answers it. It's Buckner, now a postman, and he gives the boy a special delivery from Sam. Buckner wishes Mikey a Happy Hanukkah, and Mikey takes the letter to Abraham. It has a check with the $10,000 Sam owes Abraham, and Abraham and Mikey hug. Levine goes and finds Buckner outside at a mailbox. Levine told him that he delivered a special gift and it pleased. They both wish each other a happy holiday to each other and the whole earth, and they walk off.
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