8 December | Teens
«Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. » Philemon 1:3
In different cultures, greetings can be very varied and interesting. For example, in Japan, it's common to bow when greeting someone. In India, people often greet each other with a gesture called “namaste,” which means “the God in me greets the God in you.” In other countries, such as Brazil, it is customary to give two kisses when you meet someone, while shaking hands is a widely known greeting.
When Paul wrote to people, he used to start his letters by wishing them “grace and peace.” These two words were special to him because they represented something very important that God can offer us: grace and peace. Grace is God's unmerited gift. It is His love and forgiveness that He gives us, even when we don't deserve it. Peace is another wonderful blessing from God. It's a feeling of tranquility and harmony in our hearts, even in the midst of life's difficulties. So, regardless of how people greet each other around the world, the grace and peace that God offers are universal. They are available to all people, in all cultures. And it is these special blessings that I wish you and your family on this day: grace and peace!
Take Action
How about starting to greet people with this blessing of grace and peace? Try greeting people with this blessing and see how it can make a difference to the way you relate to others and the atmosphere around you.