The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 17 December 2025 – Christian Fellowship
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TOPIC: Christian Fellowship
READ: Luke 1:39-56 (KJV)
39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54 He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
THE MESSAGE:
Christian fellowship thrives on two essential pillars: a deep personal communion with God and a meaningful and loving relationship with fellow believers. These two arms of fellowship – vertical with the Divine and horizontal with humanity – together form the foundation of a vibrant, holistic Christian community. Today’s passage focuses on the blessedness of believers fellowshipping with one another. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as it is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.. (Hebrew 10: 24-25). Consequent upon Mary’s angelic visitation as we have read in previous days (verses 28-37), she thought it wise to visit her cousin Elizabeth to felicitate with her and possibly to render any needed assistance during her prenatal days (remember Elizabeth was pregnant at old age) (verses 7, 24-6, 39 & 56). However, a causal Christian fellowship soon gave birth to another dimension of spiritual edification and empowerment (verses 41-55).
Friend, do you think Mary had it in her mind that her visit to her cousin was going to further establish what Angel Gabriel said to her prior to the visit? No, she simply went to fellowship! Our horizontal fellowship with one another is as important as our vertical relationship with God. There are many benefits we stand to derive from it; ranging from physical (services, encouragement, financial empowerment and bailouts, conflict resolution, sharing burden, correction and advise, etc.) to spiritual (intercession, Bible study, words of wisdom, etc.).
ACTION: Make up your mind today to commit yourself more deeply into fellowshipping with other believers.
