Greetings!

There are all sorts of ways that we greet each other, especially during and immediately following the holidays. 

As we return to our hometowns and workplaces, we greet people on sidewalks or in hallways with "Happy New Year!" or a similar greeting. We may shake hands, or embrace quickly, or even exchange quick kisses! Why, just a few days ago there were people all over the world proclaiming New Year's greetings to people they had never seen before, and would probably never see again.


All of that is good.  In fact it is very good. 

But it pales in comparison to the expansive nature of God's greeting to us in the Christ Child. I envision this greeting as one that enfolds every fiber of my being and speaks to every space of my heart, mind and soul.

God's greeting is not a civil handshake or a formalized kiss on the cheek! I'm talking about a good old bear hug. It is a greeting that is prolonged. God's love is wrapped around me and I'm wrapped up in God's love. Then, we step slightly away from the embrace and take a good long look at each other. When you are that close to the other, you aren't looking at clothing or hairstyle or even stature ("my, how tall you are!"). You are looking into the eyes of the other, and staying there long enough to acknowledge what is REALLY there!

The question at that moment can genuinely be:  "how are you?"

The question is not "What have you been doing?" The greeting invites genuine understanding of the nature and quality of the person before you. It says "I welcome the deepest reality of all that you bring to this moment".

Can you hear and feel the greeting spoken to you? God opens the arms of infinite love. 

If you linger for just a while, your soul will respond, for it recognizes the presence of shelter, of total recognition and complete acceptance.

"Abba, Father!"

In Christ God enfolds you and gazes into the eyes of your soul, and loves you at the deepest center of your being. You are God's child.  You are formed by God, known and loved beyond your own understanding!

Galatians 4:4-7

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.