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anglican devotional

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 18 December 2025 – God’s Purpose At Work

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TOPIC: God’s Purpose At Work

READ: Luke 2:1-7 (NKJV)

  1. And it came to pass in those days [that] a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
  2. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
  3. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
  4. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
  5. to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
  6. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
  7. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

THE MESSAGE:

In today’s text, we see God working His purpose out following Caesar Augustus’s Decree that a census be conducted to register the people for tax purposes. Interestingly, the census went out in God’s perfect timing and according to God’s perfect plan to bring His Son into the world. Is it a coincidence that Jesus was born in the very town prophesied for His birth (Micah 5:2), even though His parents did not live there? God was just working out His specific purpose through Joseph and Mary. Mary’s song of joy reveals how well she knew God, for her thoughts were filled with God’s words from the Old Testament (Luke 1:46-55). Similarly, Joseph is said to be a just (righteous) man (Matthew 1:19). So, Joseph and Mary knew God intimately, hence He ordered their steps (Psalm 37:23), ending in them becoming the earthly parents of Jesus.

God has a general purpose and a specific purpose for everyone. We exercise God’s general purpose when we let the love of Jesus shine through us to make an impact on others – using effectively the spiritual gifts He has given us to make a positive contribution wherever we live. The more we fulfill our general purpose, the clearer our specific purpose will become, just as it happened with Joseph and Mary.

PRAYER: Father; help me live for You daily so I can fulfill my specific assignments for You, Amen!

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