Week 1
December 9, 2023

7 Words That Christmas is All About From God Himself

1. Favor
Mary

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored (KARIOS – GRACE) one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor (KARIOS – GRACE) with God.
Luke 1:26-30

Karios
Translated Favored, Grace
“Favor” 6 times
“Grace” 130 Times Grace

For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him as with a shield.
Psalm 5:12

2. Blessed
Elizabeth

Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed (HAPPY) are you among women, and blessed (HAPPINESS) is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Luke 1:39-44

Blessed, Happy, Fortunate, Prosperous

And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God: “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”
Deuteromy 28:2-8

To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.
Acts 3:26

3. Guidance
Joseph

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”
Matthew 2:13

Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.
Matthew 2:19-21

God’s GPS System
G – Guidance
P – Protection
S – Services

4. Joy
Shepherds

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
Luke 2:9-10

What do you gauge your Joy on?
Job, Kids, Family, Spouse, Money

*Whoever said money can’t buy happiness,
Didn’t know where to shop *

Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can make you awfully comfortable while
you’re being miserable.

whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9

5. Redemption
Anna

Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Luke 2:36-38

Anna
14 Years Old
Lived 7 Years – 21
84 Year Widow
105 Years Old

Deem – The Value of Something
Re-Deem – Buy A Second Time

IMPORTANT
Christmas Is All About God Purchasing You Back To Him

6. Peace
Simeon

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word;
Luke 2:25-29

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:13-14

7. Salvation
Zacharias

And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” (He Was Mute)
Luke 1:18

“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people,
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David,
Luke 1:68-69

Favor – Mary
Blessing – Elizabeth
Guidance – Joseph
Joy – Shepherds
Redemption – Anna
Peace – Simeon
Salvation – Zacharias