Heaven’s Supernatural Hug
“We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance and we need 12 hugs a day for growth,” according to therapist and author, Virginia Satir.
Research states hugs release oxytocin, which has amazing benefits. Consider the following:
- Strengthens the immune system.
- Boosts your mood by releasing dopamine, serotonin and endorphins.
- Supports heart health by lowering blood pressure and stress.
- Increases empathy and even self-esteem.
- Promotes feelings of safety, trust, and belonging.
Today we are living in a season where hugs and physical touch have been discouraged and even forbidden. It is no wonder our world is feeling incredibly isolated, lonely and hopeless.
The Christmas message is timely as the world is in need of a hug. In fact, I would say at the heart of the Christmas message is Heaven bringing a supernatural hug to a desperate world.
Luke 2 and Matthew 2 give evidence that heaven declares some really good news! Good news proclaimed through the shouts of angels! Good news displayed by a brilliant star! This good news is that the world will be forever changed as a Savior, a King has been born and He will restore the lost to a right relationship with Father God.
Despised shepherds and wealthy wisemen receive supernatural encounters that bring them by faith to a baby who restores their soul to a loving God. I cannot say for sure if Mary let these guests hug the baby Jesus or not, but in their hearts they were forever embraced by the Gift of Grace. Their response of worship and overwhelming joy that flooded their souls as they were “hugged by the Father” through faith in the Son, truly indicates the magnitude and gratitude of the gift of Jesus, the promised Messiah, that they freely received.
30 years later Jesus shares a powerful parable of what this supernatural transforming hug looks like in the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. The son living in brokenness, isolation, and hopelessness because of his sin is jilted into reality of his loss and limps back home to his Father.
As his father sees the son staggering up the road as a wounded beggar notice his other worldly response:
“…great compassion swelled up in his heart for his son who was returning home. The father raced out to meet him, swept him up in his arms, hugged him dearly, and kissed him over and over with love,” (vs. 20, PT).
This is the heart of the Christmas message, a Father who runs to His lost children by sending Jesus into this sinful world. Yes, Jesus arrives with hope-a supernatural hug. His humble entrance began in a cave in Bethlehem and ended as a perfect sacrifice on a cross in Jerusalem where His arms embraced our long list of sins-forever burying them in a grave.
It is because of the cross, followed by the resurrection that we can join the angels in heaven shouting to the world:
“Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! For there is peace and good hope given to the sons of men!” (Luke2:14).
As human touch and hugs are so vital for our physical and mental wellbeing how much more so is heavens supernatural hug from our Father. As Covid has kept many away from a human hug, likewise sin has separated us from Heaven’s hug. Yet, what a time of the year to share the hope given to us in the gift of the Father through Jesus.
If you have not received Heaven’s hug I challenge you to come back to the Father through trust in Jesus as the prodigal did. Or maybe you are really struggling in this season and you need to be reminded by the Christmas story that your Father runs to hug you in Jesus His son.
I know I am definitely biased, but this blog was one of my favorites! It reminds me of how a simple gestures of a hug, a smile and noticing someone are so important. In this rushed time of the year to pause and think about the gift of a hug from our Father in Heaven in the form of Jesus makes me smile! The parable of the father running to the son who messed the mark, reminds me it is okay to fail and make mistakes as well! How deep the Father’s love for us…how vast beyond all measure! Perhaps a new Christmas song favorite!
Thanks for the encouraging words Tim, one way I feel a hug from my Father is
through the songs I hear on the radio. A new song is out and it feels like a
warm hug when I hear the lyrics on the radio.
All my words fall short
I got nothing new
How could I express
All my gratitude?
I could sing these songs
As I often do
But every song must end
And You never do
So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah
I’ve got one response
I’ve got just one move
With my arm stretched wide
I will worship You
So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah
So come on, my soul
Oh, don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song
‘Cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord
Oh come on, my soul
Oh, don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song
‘Cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord
Come on, my soul
Oh, don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song
‘Cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord, hey
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord
So I throw up my hands
Praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah
What an amazing song Jim, thanks for sharing it.
We will listen to it and join in the Hallelujah!!!!!!
Brandon Lake, Gratitude, watch ” The Messenger” by The Chosen Christmas.
There are a number of artists on the show including Brandon Lake.