Luke 2:8-20

One significant point in the story of Jesus’ birth is that the shepherds who received the news of His birth and, in turn, heralded it to others were at a place where they were expected to be, as shepherds. Verse 8 says they were “in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Therefore, I encourage you to learn from this and be at your duty post this coming year.

If you stay at your duty post, as the shepherds,

  1. God’s ministering angels will appear and give you good tidings (Lk 2:8-11).
  2. God’s ministering angels will guide you to the place where you can find joy (Lk 2:12, 15-16). Jesus represents joy, grace, and peace to the world, and you can have all these if you stay where you are expected to be – in Christ.
  3. Stay at your workplace, doing what you are expected to do – whether in the secular, church, society, family, etc. Do it diligently, and good news of commendation and promotion will come to you.

Simeon was another man who not only saw Jesus but also got the rare privilege of carrying Him in his arms (Luke 2:25-28). Simeon was not a famous man or an elite in the temple, but he walked closely with the Holy Spirit and lived a just and devout life.

  • Your duty post should be in the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is the place of devotion and righteousness.
    • If you are there, you will receive the assurance of longevity, and also what is to happen in the future (Luke 2:26). If you are at your duty post, the Holy Spirit will guide you to where goodness is happening, so you don’t miss it (Luke 2:27). If you are found there, you’ll experience the privilege of seeing the Lord and carrying His presence (Luke 2:28). If you are there, you will not only be able to expect deliverance and salvation from your present family, personal, and national challenges, but you’ll even live long enough to see it happen. Your duty post is at the place where you put your total trust in the Lord, knowing that salvation and deliverance are coming. Israel was in trouble, but Simeon put himself in the position of expecting and ultimately seeing the salvation of not only Israel but of all nations born into the world (Luke 2:29-32).
    • If you allow your duty post to be the place of devotion to God and communion with the Holy Spirit, God will begin to reveal things to you, so you’ll be able to foresee and foretell (Luke 2:33-35).

Another person who was at her duty post in the story of the birth and naming of Jesus was Anna (Luke 2:36-38).

  • Fasting and Prayer in the temple was the duty-post of Anna.
    • You too can see Jesus if you spend time in your prayer room. Anna was still serving God at age 84 (Luke 2:37). You are never too old to serve in the church. Think about it for this year.
    • If you remain at your duty post of prayer and fasting, you will see Jesus and rejoice in spreading the good news of Him (Luke 2:38).

Where will your duty post be from today on? Will you be found with gossipers and manipulators, or among prayer warriors and positive contributors to the service of God? Will you stand aloof as a master critic or be in the pool of those who serve to make a difference?

Every position you take is a post, but those who are at their duty post are the ones who will receive good news and see the salvation they’ve been expecting.

Be at your duty post.

2025 end-of-year message