A friend and I went to a movie recently. I checked the schedule to find out when the movie would start. My friend was slow in his departure and I complained, "Hurry, we are late!" He replied, "Don’t worry, there will be 15 minutes of coming attractions." "But I like the coming attractions!", I urged.

Missing the coming attractions for movies is no big deal. But there is another form of "coming attractions" that we depend on and desperately need in order to sustain our hopes in difficult times. While the prophets’ statements about future events are not meant to be interpreted literally, still their message about the future is meant to be taken seriously, fuel our imaginations and nourish our hope in difficult times – when hope would otherwise languish.

While events in our world speak of doom and gloom, prophetic oracles, like the one we have from Isaiah this night, can provide us with joy and light. The prophet was speaking to the Israelites who were under the harsh Assyrian rule. The world was very dark for the enslaved people; yet the prophet is bold in his assuring the people of "coming attractions" – light will pierce their darkness; joy will dissolve their sadness; peace will overcome war and their oppression will end.

Isaiah draws upon imagery from the coronation of a new king and evokes images of "rebirth" – suggesting a new ruler and a new beginning for the people. As was the custom, the king to be crowned is given new names: "Wonder – Counselor, God – Hero, Father – Forever, Prince of Peace." The names express promises God had made the people; the rule of their oppressors would be broken and they would live in a peaceable kingdom under the rule of one specially chosen by God.

Can you hear the chorus of Handel’s "The Messiah" in the background? Composers and prophets join their voices today, along with artists and poets, to give hope to our world. When hope is refreshed we can bear up under hard times – and more. It is hope that renews our commitment to see the prophet’s vision fulfilled. It is hope that energizes us to continue our efforts to bring about the peaceable kingdom Isaiah envisions. Write down the vision and live by it, "For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames."

The selection from Titus tonight is breathless. It is one long sentence, and it is broad in its sweep. It is as if it were a newspaper headline announcing, even shouting out, the good news of God’s grace – long hoped for, now present to us. The wait is over, "the grace of God has appeared" and all people, not just a select religious few, benefit from its arrival. God has ignited a fire and cast a light into the darkness, just as Isaiah had promised. Now that the darkness is dispelled for us, we can live an appropriate and fitting life as children of light.

By God’s grace, the author tells us, we are "trained to reject godless ways." Each of us will have to discern, with the help of God’s Spirit, which "godless ways" we must reject: materialism, indifference to the needs of others, militarism, abusive speech and actions, deceit, pride, etc. Whatever light the Spirit casts on our life, we can also be assured that the grace of God will be there to "train us to reject godless ways." Through the Holy Spirit our grace-charged lives will be signs of Christ’s presence. Still, our lives will also reflect the "not-yet" nature of our full conformity to God’s will, and so we "await the blessed hope, the appearance of...Jesus Christ!"

Luke’s story of the nativity begins the way most historical documents do: with a narration about the current world power. The power was the seeming-invincible Roman Empire. Empires, like other great powers, make the news and they fashion events that their subjects must obey. So, our story sounds, at first, like the other historical accounts we read from different periods of human history. We are told, "a decree went out from Caesar Augustus." The ruler makes a decree about a universal census and the subjects are expected to obey. Caesar’s rule covers a vast domain. Movies about ancient Rome try to capture the might and grandeur of this cruel empire. The Roman Empire makes for great movies of eye-catching spectacle.

But, to use the movie imagery, don’t miss the "coming attractions" – there is another story about to unfold in Luke’s narrative. As in other biblical tales, the reigning power may seem to have the upper hand; but God is at work, subverting worldly powers and introducing the beginning of another reign. Joseph and Mary are like so many countless poor, the powers command – they must obey. That’s how the pregnant couple get to Bethlehem, where the savior of the world is born.

One of Luke’s themes is that Christianity does not cancel out Judaism. Rather, what we hear tonight is a continuation and fulfillment of God’s promises – beginning with Abraham and Sarah. Through them all nations will receive a blessing. As the angel announces to the shepherds, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for ALL the people." God made a promise and God does not turn a back and move on to begin a whole other story.

There is much symbolism in Luke’s story which links Jesus to the ancient promises. He is born in Bethlehem, and thus is linked to David, the shepherd king. Jesus is wrapped in "swaddling clothes and laid in a manger." Already Jesus has no home, "nowhere," as he would say in his ministry, "to lay his head" (9:58). The shepherds in the fields will be the first to hear the glad tidings. The shepherd imagery is strong throughout the scriptures, which is especially reminiscent of God’s promise to come to shepherd the people.

The nativity scenes in our churches look quaint and lovely. They have great appeal, especially for children, some of whom will perform in Christmas plays. But let’s not romanticize the story. For example, shepherds were not held in honor. They were poor and their work kept them from religious observances. They were distrusted because of the migratory nature of their work and were treated, in effect, as nonpersons. Yet, it is the poor and outcasts to whom the angelic hosts announce good news and the promise of "peace to those on whom God’s favor rests." They are told to look for the child in Bethlehem, David the shepherd’s city. Shepherds will recognize the setting for the child – a manager. The all-powerful God acts for and among the poor and insignificant and in the ordinary details of their lives.

Rome may seem to have the upper hand – for a while. But, to return to the movie imagery, there is another story line going on, as Luke shifts from his opening nod to Rome. God’s plan for all humanity is working itself out, not among the powerful movers and shakers, but among society’s insignificant people, in their insignificant places. God’s power is overturning the world’s powers for those with eyes to see and ears to hear "good tidings."

The poor of the earth are the special recipients of God’s grace. Luke frequently uses the words "today" and "now" throughout his gospel. God is entering our lives "today," acting for us "now." Our God is not a past-tense God, who did a great work a long time ago, in a distant land. Rather, God is here and now acting graciously in our lives. Ours is a present-tense God. We just need to turn our gaze away from what we thing is the main attraction, the big show of power, wealth and worldly importance, and notice the "main attraction," it is among the lesser of the world. Luke’s gospel, from start to finish, helps us refocus our eyes and open our ears to "good news" and "great joy" for "all the people" – TODAY.