Shepherds in awe and unnurtured relationships …

Whatever happened to those shepherds we read about in the Christmas story?

It was to some local shepherds that an angel made the formal announcement of the birth of Jesus. That “announcement” resulted in those shepherds being exposed in spectacular fashion to heaven’s citizenry unlike anything any human had ever seen before. The story is told in Luke 2:8-14 …

“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven — praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.'”

The moment certainly wasn’t lost on the shepherds, it compelled them to action …

“When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them,” Luke 2:15-20.

I’ve often wondered about those shepherds.

The shepherds had an angel specially tell them that the Messiah was born in Bethlehem and they actually located him! They were so excited, they told everyone what the angel had said and what had happened to them.

But …

But obviously that baby would have to grow into manhood before accomplishing His work as Savior. What did the shepherds do in the meantime?

Did they keep track of this One an angel declared to be the Messiah?

Did they follow His growth up to the start of His earthly ministry?

Or, over the years did they fail to nurture their connection with the baby and His family they met that first Christmas night?

We human beings aren’t very good about nurturing relationships, so would a handful of shepherds really keep in touch with a family who would soon flee to Egypt and then move to Nazareth, abandoning the town of Bethlehem? Or would they be so sure this was their Messiah that they would keep track Him in some way for a few decades, into His ministry, and embrace His message? After all, they had heaven’s endorsement of who He was!

Like I stated previously, most of us aren’t very good at nurturing relationships, whether it’s with neighbors, co-workers, friends, people living in our own homes — and even with God.

Yes, even with God.

Routine surveys report most Christians don’t open their Bibles outside of a church service, so we’re not listening much to God, and we’re not much better at prayer (talking with God). We’re even spending less time with His family (gathering with the church less). If we aren’t listening and aren’t having conversations, how can we nurture a relationship?

Are we any better at nurturing our relationship with God than those shepherds who met Immanuel (“God with us”) that first Christmas night? How do you nurture your relationship with God? With others?

Scotty