Session 6: The First Christmas: A Dark and Scandalous Night
Guiding Verse:
“In Him was life, and that life was the Light of mankind. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it.”
—John 1:4-5 (NASB)
(HRV) In Him was life, and that life was the light of men (this is the promise of Is 60:1). And that light brought light into the darkness and the darkness did not overtake it.
Introduction: The Contrast Between Expectation and Reality
Christmas is often depicted as a peaceful, joyful celebration filled with light and music. But if we strip away the modern-day sentimentality and examine the first Christmas, we find a story far different from the nativity scenes we’re accustomed to seeing.
The reality of the first Christmas was messy, dark, and riddled with scandal. Yet, it was through this very darkness that God chose to bring His light into the world. Today, we will explore the “scandalous” aspects of that night and discover the profound hope they bring to our lives.
- The Scandal of Mary’s Virgin Conception
Scripture Reference:
“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus.’”
—Luke 1:30-31 (NASB)
(HRV) And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Miriam, for you have found favor with Eloah. For behold, you will conceive and bear a son, and you will call his name Yeshua.
- This could literally be translated as: Mary, don’t be afraid you are very special (found favor) to God our Father, and you shall aid (conceive) our Father with your womb and proclaim (call) name Jesus.
Mary was likely no more than 14 or 15 years old—a young, unassuming girl from a small town. Her life was suddenly turned upside down when the angel Gabriel appeared, telling her she would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit.
This miraculous conception was alarming, not just to Mary but to her community. In 1st Century culture, an unmarried woman found to be pregnant risked shame, rejection, and even death. Yet, Mary responded with faith:
“Behold, the Lord’s bond-servant; may it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38, NASB).
(HRV) m said, Behold, I am the handmaid of YHWH; let it be me according to your Word.
Application:
God’s call on our lives often comes in ways that challenge our understanding, disrupt our plans, and push us out of our comfort zones. Like Mary, we may face moments when God asks us to step into situations that seem impossible or even risky—situations that may draw criticism, cause discomfort, or invite doubt, and may appear to be at or beyond our limit.
Let me remind you…the “Life” is the “Light” and “darkness” CANNOT overtake it!
For Mary, saying "yes" to God’s plan meant risking her reputation, enduring the judgment of her community, and stepping into an uncertain future. She didn’t have all the answers, but her faith allowed her to trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness.
Similarly, we are invited to trust in God, even when the road ahead is unclear. This trust isn’t blind—it’s rooted in knowing that the same God who guided Mary through her challenges is the one guiding us today. When we trust God and say "yes" to His plans, we align ourselves with His purposes, allowing Him to work through us in ways we may never fully comprehend.
Reflection Question:
Where in your life is God asking you to trust Him right now? What would it look like to respond with Mary’s faith and say, “May it be done to me according to Your word” (Luke 1:38, NASB)?
Let me say it this way… the “Life” is the “Light” and “darkness” CANNOT overtake it! If we respond with: I am the handmaid of God; let it be me according to your Word.
- Joseph’s Dilemma and Risk of Disgrace
Scripture Reference:
“And her husband Joseph, since he was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had thought this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.’”
—Matthew 1:19-20 (NASB)
(HRV) And Yosef her husband was a righteous man, and not willing to deliver her up to death, and not to disclose her; only was it in his heart to send her away in secret. And while he thought on this, the angel appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Yosef son of David, fear not to take Miriam your wife, for that which will be born of her is from the Ruach HaKodesh; for from the Rauch HaKodesh she has conceived.
Joseph faced an agonizing choice. Finding out Mary was pregnant before their marriage was finalized would have been devastating. A quiet divorce seemed like the only way to protect her from public humiliation.
But God intervened, sending an angel to assure Joseph of His divine plan. Joseph’s decision to obey was not without cost. By marrying Mary, he risked his own reputation and took on the weight of being the earthly father to the Son of God.
Application:
Joseph’s story is a powerful reminder that following God’s call often requires courage, obedience, and personal sacrifice. When Joseph learned of Mary’s unexpected pregnancy, his world was turned upside down. By cultural standards, he had every right to walk away to preserve his reputation and avoid public disgrace. Yet, when God spoke to him through the angel, Joseph made the bold decision to trust and obey, even though it came at a cost.
Obedience to God disrupted Joseph’s life in significant ways. He gave up the security of a quiet, predictable future to embrace an unknown journey filled with challenges, such as fleeing to Egypt to protect Jesus from Herod’s wrath (Matthew 2:13-15). Yet through Joseph’s sacrifices, he became an essential part of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
Similarly, God’s plans for our lives may disrupt our expectations, call us into uncertain circumstances, or require us to make difficult sacrifices. However, just as Joseph’s obedience led to a greater purpose—the arrival of the Savior into the world—our willingness to follow God’s leading can open the door for Him to work through us in extraordinary ways.
Reflection Questions:
- What disruptions or challenges in your life might God be using to accomplish His greater purpose?
- Have you asked God to reveal what He can about His greater purpose to you?
- How can Joseph’s example of courage and trust inspire you to respond faithfully to God’s call, even when it feels costly or uncomfortable?
- The Humility of the Incarnation
Scripture Reference:
“And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
—Luke 2:7 (NASB)
The very idea of God taking on human form is astonishing. Even more shocking is the manner in which He chose to enter the world—not as a king, but as a helpless baby, born in a stable and laid in a manger.
Jesus’ birth in such humble circumstances demonstrates God’s willingness to meet us in the messiness of life. He came to identify with the lowly, the outcast, and the forgotten. Jesus came to identify WITH US!
Application:
The story of Christmas is a powerful testament to God’s willingness to step into the darkness and messiness of humanity. Jesus wasn’t born in a palace surrounded by luxury and comfort. Instead, He entered the world in the humblest and most unexpected of places—a stable, among animals, laid in a feeding trough. His birth was marked by circumstances that most would consider chaotic and less than ideal, yet it was through this humble beginning that God’s plan of salvation unfolded.
This truth reminds us that no matter how messy, broken, or dark our lives may feel, God is not distant or indifferent. He is Emmanuel—God with us—who steps into our pain, our struggles, and our failures with grace and redemption.
GOD DOESN’T AVOID THE BROKENESS; HE REDEEMS IT.
The first Christmas shows us that God’s light shines brightest in the darkest places. Whether it’s the darkness of grief, the mess of broken relationships, or the struggles of daily life, God’s presence brings hope, healing, and renewal.
Reflection:
- Think about areas in your life where things feel messy or out of control. What does it mean to invite God into those spaces?
- How does the truth of Christmas—that God willingly entered the brokenness of our world—change the way you view your current struggles?
This Christmas season, let the message of Christ’s humble birth remind you that God’s light is not limited to perfect circumstances. His love reaches into every corner of our lives, offering hope and transformation in the places we need it most.
Will you allow Him to bring His light into your mess?
- The Light That Shines in the Darkness
Scripture Reference:
“In Him was life, and that life was the Light of mankind. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it.”
—John 1:4-5 (NASB)
(HRV) In Him was life, and that life was the light of men (this is the promise of Is 60:1). And that light brought light into the darkness and the darkness did not overtake it.
The birth of Jesus was not just a historical event; it was the beginning of God’s plan to rescue humanity from sin and darkness. The Light of Christ came to shine into the darkest corners of the world, the darkest corners of your life, bringing hope, redemption, and new life.
Illustration:
Imagine being in a pitch-black room, unable to see or find your way. Suddenly, a light appears, guiding you to safety. This is what Jesus does for us. His light overcomes the darkness in our hearts and lives, offering a way forward when all seems lost.
Conclusion: A Message of Hope
The first Christmas wasn’t perfect by human standards. It was filled with scandal, hardship, and uncertainty. But it was precisely through those circumstances that God brought His greatest gift to humanity—Jesus Christ.
Whatever darkness you may be facing this season, take heart. Just as God brought light into the world through Jesus, He can bring light into your life. Christmas is a reminder that God’s plans are bigger than our mess, and His light will always overcome the darkness.
Series Closing Statement:
As we draw this series to a close, we find ourselves standing in awe of the profound meaning of Christmas. Through each lesson, we’ve journeyed deeper into the heart of this miraculous season, uncovering truths that speak to the very core of who God is and what He desires for us.
We’ve learned from Mary’s interruption that Christmas is a call to trust—a reminder that God’s plans, though unexpected, are always good and always for His glory. From Joseph’s dilemma, we’ve seen that obedience to God often requires courage and sacrifice, but it leads to a greater purpose that far outweighs the cost.
The shepherds’ humble story revealed that Christmas is for everyone. God’s priorities are not based on status or worthiness but on hearts ready to listen and respond. And as we explored the light of Christ’s arrival in a dark and scandalous night, we were reminded that God’s love reaches into the messiest and most broken places of our lives, bringing light and hope where we least expect it.
Through the Lamb of God, we saw the depths of God’s sacrifice, a gift of salvation wrapped in humility and offered to the world. And finally, we embraced the reality that God calls us into His divine story, inviting us to share the Good News with others just as the shepherds did that first Christmas night.
Christmas is more than a season or a single event; it is the intersection of heaven and earth, where God’s faithfulness, grace, and love converge in the person of Jesus Christ. It is the declaration that no darkness is too deep, no life too messy, and no heart too broken for God’s redeeming power.
As we celebrate this sacred season, let us hold onto these truths:
- Christmas calls us to trust God’s plan.
- Christmas invites us to obedience, even when it costs us.
- Christmas declares that God’s love is for everyone, no matter how insignificant they feel.
- Christmas brings light into our darkness and hope into our brokenness.
- Christmas proclaims the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
- Christmas commissions us to share the Good News with those around us.
May the meaning of Christmas resonate in our hearts, not just today but every day. For in the birth of Jesus, we see the faithfulness of a God who keeps His promises, the humility of a Savior who dwells with us, and the light that shines in the darkness—a light that the darkness has not, and will never, overcome.
Merry Christmas. May His light and love fill your life this season and always.
Closing Scripture:
“For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
—Isaiah 9:6 (NASB)
Call to Action:
This Christmas, reflect on the beauty of God’s plan—even in its scandalous and unexpected nature. Embrace the Light of Christ, and let Him shine through you to a world still in need of hope.
Top of FormBottom of Form
