Just as an interesting exercise... here are the definitions of "embrace" and "hold" according to the dictionary I have on hand at the moment (Webster's Ninth Collegiate Dictionary- a nice leather bound copy I might add
).
Anyway, I'm maintaining the dictionary's capitalization and puncutation here. I'm omitting some extraneous info about pronunciation and grammar (and I'm omitting the little examples of usage contained within the definitions in the dictionary text). The two definitions of "embrace" are essentially the complete entries for this word (as a verb and as a noun). I'm being more selective with "hold" because the definition is extremely long... and frankly no one wants to read all of it I'm guessing. I'll give you the first 7 definitions of "hold" as a verb out of almost a page of variations. In any case, the definitions for "embrace" seem quite poetic when we think about our boys. "Hold" contains within it some more problematic meanings. The more I read the definitions of "hold" the more disturbing it actually is to think of it as being part of a marriage ceremony (a context noted in an earlier post)- since its main meanings have to do with possession, physical containment and control - even repression. In a way, the choice of the word "embrace" seems to be a pretty direct word to choose to convey the idea of a sweet hug. It seems like a much less complex word and a more unproblematically romantic word. For what it's worth.
em-brace,
vb-
1) a: to clasp in the arms: HUG
b: CHERISH. LOVE
2): ENCIRCLE, ENCLOSE
3) a: to take up esp. readily or gladly
b: to avail oneself of: WELCOME
4) a: to take in or include as a part, item, or element of a more enclusive whole
b: to be equal or equivalent
vt: to participate in an embrace
syn: see ADOPT, INCLUDE
em-brace,
n-
1): a close encircling with the arms and pressure to the bosom esp. as a sign of affection: HUG
2): GRIP, ENCIRCLEMENT
3): ACCEPTANCE
hold,
vb-
1) a: to have possession or ownership of or have at one's disposal
b: to have the as a privilege or position of responsibility
c: to have as a mark of distinction
2): to keep under restraint
a: to prevent free expression of
b: to prevent from some action
c: to keep back from use
d: to delay temporarily the handling of
3): to make liable or accountable or bound to an obligation
4) a: to have or maintainin the grasp
b: to support or keep from falling or moving
c: to bear the pressure of: SUPPORT
5): to prevent from leaving or getting away
a: to avoid emitting or letting out
b: to restrain as or as if a captive
6) a: to enclose and keep in a container or within bounds: CONTAIN
b: to be able to consume easily or without due effect
c: ACCOMMODATE
d: to have as a principal or essential feature or attribute; also to have in store
7) a: to have in the mind or express as a judgment, opinion or belief
b: to think of in a particular way: REGARD