Welcome!

It's a word I use SO frequently—as I open the door to strangers and friends…as I respond to another’s “thanks”….When I became aware that the word popped up on so many signs around my house and garden, I turned to Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary to learn a bit more about it. This is what I found:

Welcome \Wel"come\, a. [OE. welcome, welcume, wilcume, AS. wilcuma a welcome guest, from wil-, as a prefix, akin to willa will + cuma a comer, fr. cuman to come; hence, properly, one who comes so as to please another's will; cf. Icel. velkominn welcome, G. willkommen. See Will, n., and Come.]
1. Received with gladness; admitted willingly to the house, entertainment, or company; as, a welcome visitor. "When the glad soul is made Heaven's welcome guest."--Cowper.
2. Producing gladness; grateful; as, a welcome present; welcome news. ``O, welcome hour!'' --Milton.
3. Free to have or enjoy gratuitously; as, you are welcome to the use of my library.

There are at least four towns/cities in the U.S.A. with the name Welcome. They are in Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

And Jesus was “high” on welcome! Just look at Matthew 18:5 & Mark 9:37. Later, Peter wrote: “(those who eagerly make their calling and election sure) will never fail and…will receive a rich WELCOME into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:11

By the way, do you notice in the etymology section the words “see Will and Come”? Jesus said, “Whosoever will may come”! WILL you? HAVE you?

WHOEVER IS THIRSTY, LET HIM COME;
AND WHOEVER WISHES, LET HIM TAKE THE FREE GIFT
OF THE WATER OF LIFE. Revelation 22:17

Welcome!