Final answer:
Augustine believes embracing Christ is necessary for reconciliation with God because Christ represents the divine grace needed for humanity's spiritual salvation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before Augustine can embrace God the Father, he must embrace Christ, the Son, because in his theological framework, it is through Christ that humanity can be reconciled with God. Augustine's concept of the fall of humanity and the role of original sin highlights the need for divine grace for salvation, which comes through Christ. According to Augustine, the appearance of Christ in the world allows for the deity to show its love and to assist in soul-making, elevating humanity from a state of fallenness (bios) to one of divine love and spiritual life (zoe). Thus, embracing Christ is the first necessary step for Augustine (and humanity) towards reconciliation with God and the attainment of spiritual salvation.