A Stable Environment: A Nurturing Environment: Luke 2.8-20

A nurturing environment is a tricky thing. Definitions of nurture seem flexible at best. They usually include all of the following and more.


Nurturing- Feed and protect, support and encourage, educate and care, training and upbringing.


This sounds a little like parts of the baptismal covenant of the United Methodist Church. See if any of the following excerpts from that service fit your thoughts about what nurture is.


Congregational Commitment (#8, p. 35)- With God's help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround these persons with a community of love and forgiveness, that they may grow in their service to others. We will pray for them that they may be true disciples who walk in a way that leads to life.


Baptismal covenant (#11, p. 37)- Through baptism you are incorporated by the Holy Spirit into God's new creation and made to share in Christ's royal priesthood. We are all one in Christ Jesus. With joy and thanksgiving we welcome you as a member of the family of Christ.


Welcome (# 16, p. 38)- We give thanks for all that God has already given you and we welcome you in Christian love. As members together with you in the body of Christ and in this congregation of the United Methodist Church, we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, and our service, that in everything God my be glorified through Jesus Christ.

There is no question that all Christians need to be involved in nurturing one another. It is not enough to allow only parents to be responsible for their children. As Christians, we are all responsible to create a nurturing environment. So, here is how its done.

1. We must look after physical needs. A part of nurturing ourselves and others is making certain that food, shelter and clothing are provided for all.
2. We must look after intellectual needs. A big part of being human is developing and using your brain. This includes education, skills training and developing a love for knowledge and learning.
3. Emotional needs are also important. American adults often have problems with this. We want to deny or suppress the emotional part of our lives, but it is not possible. We all need security, acceptance and love.
4. We also need to be looking after our social needs. We need help in gaining support from those around us, as well as learning and growing in relationships.