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!
If you've read my earlier posts, you know that I had THREE welcome signs to sell in my garage sale last weekend. These were "extras"! Apparently everyone else has enough welcome signs, too! I didn't sell one.
