The Sign We Were Waiting For: Meeting Immanuel
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 34December 2025
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Welcome to Day 4.
When we think of prophets in the Bible, we often picture stern men with long beards, shouting from street corners or predicting doom and gloom. We might think of them as ancient fortune tellers, trying to guess what the winning lottery numbers might be for the next century. But biblical prophecy is something far more beautiful than that. It is less about predicting a date and more about preparing a heart.
Today’s verse is perhaps one of the most famous prophecies in the entire Bible. You have probably heard it read at carol services or printed on Christmas cards. It feels very familiar to us now.
But imagine hearing it for the first time.
When Isaiah spoke these words, he was speaking to a king named Ahaz who was terrified. His kingdom was under threat, and he was shaking like a leaf in the wind. He was looking for a military solution, or a political alliance, or a quick fix. He wanted a sign of power.
Instead, God gave him a sign of vulnerability. He promised a baby.
God told him that a virgin would conceive and give birth to a son. On the surface, a baby seems like a terrible solution to a war. A baby cannot fight. A baby cannot negotiate treaties. A baby just needs feeding and holding. Yet this was God’s sign that He was in control.
The most important part of this prophecy, however, is the name. They will call him Immanuel.
In Hebrew, this name literally means "God with us." It is the heartbeat of our entire Advent series. God wasn’t sending an angel to fix things. He wasn’t sending a set of rules. He was sending Himself. He was promising to come down and dwell right in the middle of the mess and the fear.
Centuries later, the Gospel of Matthew picks up this verse and draws a giant arrow pointing straight to Jesus. Matthew wants us to know that Jesus isn't just a wise teacher or a good example. He is the fulfilment of everything the prophets were longing for. He is the "Yes" to God’s ancient promise.
Sometimes we look at the Old Testament as a history book that is disconnected from our lives. But when we read it through the lens of Advent, we see that every page is whispering the name of Jesus. The prophets were like people standing on a mountain peak, pointing to a sunrise that was yet to come.
This challenges me today. It reminds me that God’s plans are consistent. He didn’t change His mind halfway through history. The God who spoke to Isaiah is the same God who walks with you today.
So if you are looking for a sign from God in your own life, look to Jesus. He is the sign. He is the proof that God has not abandoned the world. He is Immanuel, God with us, yesterday, today, and forever.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord Jesus, we praise You as our Immanuel. Thank You that the prophets pointed the way to You. Thank You that You did not remain distant, but You came to be God With Us. Help us to read our Bibles with fresh eyes, seeing Your face on every page. Be with us today, and let us feel the comfort of Your presence. Amen.