I wonder if you’ll take your right hand, and cross your middle and forefingers. Got it?  Long before this little gesture came to represent promising something that you had no intention of ever keeping, or standing for a wish for good luck, these crossed fingers had a deeper meaning. Our Christian ancestors used this sign when they shook hands with others. To the uninitiated, a hand clasp with crossed fingers probably felt like the other person had a deformed hand. But to those in the know, it was a secret code. It was the sign of the cross, and it helped Christians identify other Christians in those days when you could be killed for being a Christian. And it also became a secret sign of grace! By offering a handshake to another person, and quietly crossing the fingers, Christians imparted a non-verbal blessing to even the strangers they met. Silently, they would say, “Christus Victor,” which means “May Christ be victorious in your life.” And by using this little ritual with everyone they met, Christian people reminded themselves of the sacred value and dignity of the lives of all others. It was like a string tied around their finger, reminding them that their role in life is to bless and love others.