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.
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devotional
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.
Waiting is hard, especially in today’s instant world. On Day 3, we look at Habakkuk to learn why God’s timing is always perfect, even when it feels slow.
In a world of broken promises and temporary contracts, God offers us something different. Today we look at Abraham to discover a God who binds Himself to us forever.
Advent begins today, but the story of Christmas goes back much further than the stable. Join us as we look at Genesis to see how God’s plan to be with us started the very moment we needed Him most.
God has placed you exactly where you are for a purpose. You carry His light into every environment you step into.
Nothing in your life is wasted when you place it in God’s hands. Even the pieces you thought were gone forever can become part of His good plan.
Champions are not made in moments of perfection, but in the moments when they choose to try again. God strengthens you every time you rise.
Failure is not the end of your story. In God’s hands, every fall becomes a chance to rise stronger and walk forward with new confidence.
Your past may explain parts of your journey, but it does not have the power to define who you are in Christ. God has made you new.
Holding on to yesterday will only slow down your tomorrow. God is doing something new, and He invites you to step into it with faith.
No matter where you are in life, God is still writing your story. His grace invites you to get up, breathe again, and keep moving forward with Him.
Life can be loud and demanding, but peace begins on the inside. In this reflection, Pastor Ras encourages us to let Christ’s presence rule our hearts when pressure surrounds us.
Faith is not proven in comfort; it’s forged in the fire. In this reflection, Pastor Ras reminds us that God doesn’t always take us out of the fire, but He always steps into it with us.
Peace is not found in control, but in closeness to God. In this reflection, Pastor Ras shares how choosing presence over pressure changes everything about how we face life’s demands.
When life gets loud with fear and worry, lift your voice in worship. Pastor Ras reminds us that praise is not a reaction to victory, it is the weapon that brings it.