As I walked through the narrow streets of historic Bethlehem I could hear the sound of a child crying.  It was the sort of cry you might hear if a child had fallen down or was in need of help.  Over the hustle & bustle of the noisy street I could hear, “Abba… Abba…”.  I remember stopping in my tracks, taking in the significance of what I’d just heard.

I was with group of college students who were on a study trip in Israel as part of a course in biblical history.  I knew the scripture verses in which Jesus and Paul used the word Abba to describe God as ‘Daddy’ but my understanding of the word Abba had always remained academic; in my head.  But at this moment, in the narrow streets of this ancient city where people still spoke Aramaic the reality that God is ‘Daddy’ landed home in my heart.  The cry of a child in need of help, calling out for her Daddy was an illustration I will never forget.

Abba.  It is a term of endearment reserved for the intimate relationship between a father and his child.  In today’s language we might say Dad, Daddy, Da, Papa or some other intimate variation.  But in middle eastern culture the pet name Abba continues to be used.

Jesus regularly spoke of God as ‘Father’ and, in doing so, tried to help people perceive God as personal, close and caring.  But on at least one occasion Jesus used the term Abba when he spoke to God (Mk 14.36).  This is evidence that Jesus knew God as his Daddy.  Paul, on two occasions spoke of how we, as children of God, are able to join our voice with Holy Spirit to call God our Abba – our Daddy (Rom 8.16; Gal 4.6).

It is very easy for me to know God as Almighty God, Creator God or even Heavenly Father.  But God wants us to know him as Daddy.  A Daddy who desires a Dad-type relationship with his children.  Up-close, personal, interested and involved.  Willing to give input and caring enough to intervene.  Powerful enough to bring change and wise enough to help us learn.  He wants only the absolute best for all His children and He desires to be Daddy to us all.