The Best Gift of All: From the Manger to the Heart
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 25 December 2025
“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Merry Christmas!
We have finally arrived. The waiting is over. The candles are all lit, the carols are being sung, and hopefully, you are surrounded by the warmth of the season. Whether you are reading this amidst a pile of wrapping paper, in a quiet moment before the turkey goes in the oven, or perhaps feeling a bit lonely on this big day, I want to wish you a truly blessed Christmas.
For the last twenty-four days, we have been tracing a single thread through history. We started in the garden with a promise. We walked with Abraham, waited with the prophets, and stood in the stable with the shepherds. The theme has been constant: God is with us.
But today, on Christmas Day, I want to take you one step further.
The Apostle Paul talks about a "mystery" that was hidden for ages but is now revealed. This mystery is the climax of the entire Christmas story. It isn't just "God with us." It is "Christ in you."
This is a breathtaking shift.
"God with us" is amazing. It is the comfort of a friend walking beside us. It is the security of a Shepherd leading us. But "God in us" is transformational. It means that the baby born in Bethlehem didn't just come to live among us; He came to live within us.
When you put your trust in Jesus, the Spirit of the Living God takes up residence in your heart. You become the stable. You become the place where His glory dwells.
This changes how we face tomorrow. The decorations will come down. The tree will be packed away. January will arrive with its grey skies and routine. But you will not be facing it alone, or even just with a helper standing nearby. You will be facing it with the power of the Risen Christ living inside you.
Paul calls this "the hope of glory."
Hope in the Bible isn't wishful thinking. It isn't crossing your fingers and hoping for the best. It is a solid, concrete assurance. Because Christ is in you, you have the guarantee of a future that is glorious. It means that no matter what this next year throws at you, you have an inner resource that can never be depleted. You have His peace, His strength, and His love woven into your very DNA.
So, as you celebrate today, enjoy the gifts. Enjoy the food. Enjoy the company. But remember that the greatest gift isn't under the tree. The greatest gift is the One who has made His home in your heart.
The distance is gone. The separation is over. God is with us. God is for us. And, most miraculously of all, God is in us.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord Jesus, we praise You today as our Saviour, our King, and our Friend. Thank You for the journey we have been on this Advent. We are blown away by the truth that You chose to live in us. May this reality change us from the inside out. As we celebrate today, fill us with Your deep joy and help us to carry the light of Christmas into the coming year. We love You, Lord. Amen.