What is the power of a kiss?

What is the power of a kiss?

This mother's advice to her daughters is not totally misguided. The power of a passionate kiss can lead the way to pregnancy, as many young people have sadly discovered.

There are all sorts of kisses. When Dad arrives home his kids may squeal with delight, and smother him with kisses. Mom may have to do with hubby's quick peck. And the family mutt will likely give him sloppy, tail-wagging kisses.

Some nationalities kiss on both cheeks, and their men even kiss men this way. Then there's the thing in which two women touch their cheeks together and kiss the air, sometimes making a ridiculous "Mwah" sound.

Kisses can be enjoyable, but to the little boy who's told to kiss aunt Martha, a kiss is simply a "Yech." In childhood it's usually the little girl who kisses her favorite boy. "Yech," again.

When she gets a little older the little girl may send him a love note with S.W.A.K. (Sealed With A Kiss) on the envelope.

Kisses can raise memories, some happy, some sad, and some funny as my wife Betty and I discovered. Old Harry, who had a lifetime aversion to bath water, drove his rattletrap truck past our country home and threw Betty a big, toothless kiss. We've laughed about that often.

The apostle Paul adjures us to greet the brethren with a holy kiss (Romans 16:16; 1Corinthians 16:20; 2Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26). There's been much speculation over the meaning of a holy kiss, or a kiss of charity as Peter called it (1Peter 5:14), but it certainly isn't a homosexual or lesbian-type kiss. God doesn't look kindly on that.

Kisses can say "Hello" or "Goodbye." And a gentle peck, when she least expects it, can leave the lady of the house with an inward glow. One marital counselor suggests kissing her – the wife, not the counselor – on the back of the neck three times a day. Imagine the effect that can have when wifey is feeling a bit blue, or is busy preparing supper, or is generally alone in her little world. Try it, husbands. It's dynamite!

Kisses can go the other way, however. A husband tells a sweet young thing his wife doesn't understand him. Little Missey kisses his cares away, and gives him the kind of understanding he desires.

A wife blubbers to her paramour that her husband never shows her any appreciation. He gives her appreciation with kisses and more.

It's a rare married couple that has no problems, but problems are not solved by seeking solace in another person's kisses. The power of such kisses have resulted in half the American marriages ending in divorce.

Throughout the bible we read of many kisses. The aging Isaac kissed his son Jacob, and blessed him (Genesis 27:24-27). Jacob kissed his cousin Rachel, and later married her (Genesis 29:11). Despite earlier chicanery, Esau greeted his brother with a kiss (Genesis 33:4). Joseph kissed his brothers (Genesis 45:14-15); Israel kissed his grandsons (Genesis 48:8-10); Joseph kissed his deceased father (Genesis 49:33-50:1); and Naomi kissed her daughters-in-law (Ruth 1:9).

The most famous biblical kiss, of course, is the kiss of death given Jesus by his betrayer (Matthew 26:48-49; Mark 14:44-45; Luke 22:47-48).

Indeed, there is power in a kiss: power to cheer; power to hurt; power to strengthen or destroy marriages; and power to kill. But the best kiss is the one that says "Thank you," or "You're special," or "I love you."