Happy Christmas! Today we celebrate the arrival of Jesus, but the story doesn't end in the stable. On Day 25, we unwrap the mystery that changes everything: Christ in you.
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Christmas Eve is full of anticipation, but the best gift is one that will last forever. On Day 24, we open the ultimate promise of God’s eternal presence.
Jesus didn't come to start a club for perfect people. On Day 22, we find out who He was really looking for and why that is such good news for us.
The world defines peace as the absence of trouble, but Jesus offers something far better. On Day 21, we learn how to stay calm when the storm is raging.
John doesn't give us shepherds or kings; he gives us a cosmic explosion of truth. On Day 20, we explore what it means that God pitched His tent among us.
We expect kings to be born in palaces, but God chose a feeding trough. On Day 18, we look at the manger to understand the true humility of Jesus.
The Magi travelled hundreds of miles just to bow down. On Day 17, we learn that true worship is not about the songs we sing, but the posture of our hearts.
We often confuse joy with happiness, but the angel’s message offers us something much deeper. On Day 16, we discover the "good news of great joy" that is available to everyone.
We all face situations that look like dead ends. On Day 15, we remember that the word "impossible" is not in God's dictionary.
Surrender often sounds like defeat, but Mary shows us it is actually the path to victory. On Day 14, we witness the moment that changed history forever.
We often look for God in the spectacular, but He loves to show up in the small. On Day 13, we travel to Bethlehem to see why size doesn't matter to God.
Nobody enjoys sitting in a waiting room, but often that is exactly where we find ourselves. On Day 12, we discover why God’s timing is worth the wait.
Yesterday we looked at the Shepherd Psalm; today we meet the Shepherd in person. Join us on Day 11 to discover just how far Jesus is willing to go to keep us safe.
Life is full of twists and turns, especially during the busy Christmas season. On Day 10, we turn to the most famous Psalm to find rest and direction.
We often feel like God is distant or far away, but one name changes that forever. On Day 9, we look at the heartbeat of the Christmas story: Emmanuel.
Fear is a constant companion for many of us, but God offers a powerful antidote. On Day 8, we explore how God’s presence chases away our worry.
We have all been let down by broken promises, but God operates differently. On Day 7, we celebrate the fact that God always finishes what He starts.
The Gift We Didn't Expect: A Child Who Changes Everything
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 6 December 2025
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Welcome to Day 6.
If you were given the task of saving the world, how would you do it? I imagine most of us would think big. We would probably assemble a team of the smartest experts, gather a massive budget, or perhaps build a powerful army to enforce peace. We naturally think that big problems require big, loud solutions.
But God, in His infinite wisdom, does something completely different. He sends a baby.
Today’s verse is one of the majestic peaks of the Old Testament. It starts with such simplicity: "For to us a child is born." It sounds so normal. Children are born every day. It is a common, fragile, human event. Yet, in the very same breath, Isaiah tells us that the government will be on his shoulders. The weight of the world, the administration of the cosmos, rests on the tiny shoulders of this infant.
This is the glorious paradox of Advent. God becomes small so that He can be with us.
Look at the titles Isaiah gives Him. He is the Wonderful Counsellor. He isn't a distant boss giving orders; He is a guide who understands us perfectly and offers wisdom for our confusion.
He is the Mighty God. This baby in the straw is the same power that flung the stars into space. He has the strength to fight the battles we cannot win.
He is the Everlasting Father. This one might seem confusing since Jesus is the Son, but it speaks to His character. He treats us with the protective, tender care of a perfect father. He is the head of the family we are all invited to join.
And finally, He is the Prince of Peace. He doesn't just bring a temporary cease-fire. He brings shalom—a deep, wholeness of spirit that puts our broken pieces back together.
Notice that the verse says this child is born "to us." He is a gift. You do not earn a gift; you simply receive it. Whether you feel worthy today or not, this child is given to you. He is given to carry the weight you are tired of carrying.
I love the line about the government being on his shoulders. So often, we try to carry the government of our own lives. We try to control everything, worrying about the future and stressing over every detail. This verse invites us to resign from the job of being "General Manager of the Universe." We can take the weight off our own shoulders and place it on His. He is strong enough to carry it.
So today, as you think about the baby in the manger, remember who He really is. He is the King who came to serve. He is the Mighty God who came to be held. He is your Counsellor, your Father, and your Peace.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord Jesus, thank You that You came to us as a child. It is hard for us to comprehend that You, the Mighty God, would become so vulnerable for our sake. Thank You that the government is on Your shoulders, so it does not have to be on ours. We hand over our worries and our need for control to You today. Be our Prince of Peace in the midst of a busy season. Amen.
Darkness can feel overwhelming, but it is never permanent. On Day 5, we look at Isaiah’s promise that a great light has dawned to guide us home.
Prophecy isn't just about predicting the future; it is about revealing a person. Today we look at Isaiah’s famous words to see how God promised us the ultimate sign of His presence.