"Wait!" Nathan yelled. He pointed toward the brightening star. "Look at that star! It's coming toward us!" "Don't talk nonsense. I'll teach you to wake me up." Abijah, with fist curled, stepped toward Nathan. "Abijah, don't!" Benjamin jumped up to stop him. As he did, he glanced in the direction Nathan pointed. He gasped. "There is a strange star! Look!" Abijah stopped. As he turned, a lightning-like flash brightened the night and a glowing figure hovered above the young shepherds. Terrified, trembling, they dropped to their knees. "Fear not," the figure said, "for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." ____________ Nathan's Hope contrasts the Jewish hope for their promised Messiah and King with their hatred for King Herod and the Romans through the years just before and after the birth of Jesus. Events related in the Biblical account of Christ's birth and historical facts from the reign and death of King Herod are seen through the eyes, words, and actions of the young shepherd, Nathan. He and four other youth tend their sheep in the desert area near Herodian, Herod's palace and fortress town three miles from Bethlehem, the town where Jesus is born.