Uniquely, I Do's

Baby Welcoming Ceremony

You are probably at this webpage asking yourself, what is a Baby Welcoming Ceremony? Is it right for our family? Either you came seeking information on a ceremony to bless your newborn (or older infant--there is no age limit) into the world, or you happened here and thought, what a wonderful idea!

Most people have heard of Christenings or Baptisms for their child. Many religious organizations provide these religious services. The Baby Welcoming Ceremony provided by the officiants here are not religious ceremonies, though they may have religious elements based on the parent's beliefs or wishes. The ceremonies here are to offer a beautiful welcoming for a child. The ceremony may include grandparents, godparents, siblings, friends or family members or just the parent(s).

• Perfect for non-religious or non-practicing families

• Wonderful way to incorporate families of different faiths and beliefs

• Beautiful way to present your child to your community of friends and family

• Intimate opportunity to appoint Godparents

• Memorable and touching, you're child will love hearing of their special ceremony

• Start a family tradition!

Below is a sample ceremony. Your baby's ceremony will be built around the following sample ceremony, written to include your family, your beliefs and readings special to your family.

The setting:
Soft music plays in the background. The grandparents and/or godparents and the parent(s) (who are holding their beautiful baby) and officiant will stand by the 'altar', which can be placed in a home, garden or any other location special to the family. The 'altar' is covered with a beautiful cloth and has a small bowl with blessed water (blessed in a ritual before the ceremony) with rose petals in it, a white candle for each grandparent, godparent and parent and a small bouquet of flowers. The parents may decorate the altar table with pictures of the baby, past or present family members, baby shoes, and any other objects that are meaningful to the parents.

The Ceremony:
Dear Friends and Family,

Today is a very special day. It is a day in which we celebrate the birth of this child who has been sent to us by [God, Universe, The Mother, etc]. This child is a gift given to the earth to make this world a little better, a little more interesting. This child will be part of our future and represents the light of the world. Parent & Parent have honored all of you today by inviting you to not only witness this ceremony, but most importantly, to participate in the blessing of this child.

As each of our lives are the legacy of those who have lived before us. The ancestors of this child are no less a part of his/her community than we here who are present. She/He is the fulfillment of the dreams of many generations. Therefore, I call upon all of ___________’s ancestors to be with us now to participate in this protection, blessing and welcoming ceremony of ___________.

Invocation:

[God, Universe, The Mother, etc], we ask for Your blessing. Protect this child, this family and the community of friends and family who surround us with Your unconditional love and protection. Keep us mindful that the miracle of this child is both a gift and path back to you. We ask that our sense of community be strengthened by what we are about to witness here today. Amen.



The Blessing of the Child

(The blessed water with roses will be used to bless the top of the child's head, forehead, heart, both hands and feet)

Blessed water will be rubbed on the top of her/his head, "You are connected, protected, loved, and blessed by the Divine."

Blessed water will be rubbed on her/his forehead, "All your senses are blessed, protected, and awakened."

Blessed water will be rubbed over her heart, "Your heart is blessed so that you may feel compassion for yourself and others."

Blessed water will be rubbed on both her/his hands, "Your hands are blessed so that you may reach out to the world."

Blessed water will be rubbed on both her/his feet, "Your feet are blessed so that you may connect with the earth, be grounded, and stand your ground in this world. Know that your spirit is strong and it will guide you through this life. Know that you have angels to watch over you and that you are never alone. Know that you are deeply loved and that your presence brings overwhelming joy. "

Poem: (Can be read by a grandparent, godparents, friend, family member or officiant)

Speak to Us of Children (by Kahil Gibran)

Your children are not your children

They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you.

And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,

Which you can not visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them.

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterdays.

You are bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

The archer seeks the mark upon the path of the infinite,

And he bends you with His might that His arrow may go swift and far.

Let your blending in the archer’s hand be for goodness.

For even as He loves the arrow that flies,

So He loves the bow that is stable.

Baby Naming

Names are in important part of everyone's life, and names are what gives each and every one of us individuality. Parents, what name have you chosen for your child? And what meaning does this name have for you? (parents will explain why they chose the name, or officiant can explain)

________________ your name was chosen with great care, and it was chosen just for you. We all hope that you grow into a caring person who is healthy and happy, and with wisdom to help you all through life.

The Promise & Candle Lighting
Parents:

___________ has honored you by choosing you as her/his parents. Therefore, honor him/her and remember that ___________ is his/her own being with his/her own thoughts and feelings. She/He is a child of the universe and has been given many gifts from the Divine so that she/he can light the way for the future. Therefore, it is important for you to support him/her and protect him/her, so that his/her gifts may blossom and she/he can make this world better than it was before.


__________ & __________, will you promise to love, nurture, and support __________, and to create a healthy environment so that she/her may grow on his/her specific path? If so, please answer “We will.”

Please light the first candle.

Let the lighting of this candle be an affirmation of this promise. Let the lighting of this candle also symbolize the light of love.


___________ & ____________, please repeat after me; You are the warmth of this candle. You were created in love and You are love itself.

Grandparents (and great grandparents if they are present)

Grandma & Grandpa ____________ & Grandma and Grandpa _____________, will you promise to support ____________? Will you promise to play with her/him, make funny faces and noises to make her/him smile, give away lots of pictures of him/her to your friends, spoil him/her to the best of your ability and share with her/him your wisdom and the memories of her/him ancestors? If so, please answer “We will”.

Grandma & Grandpa ___________, please light the second candle

Grandma & Grandpa ___________, please light the third candle

Let the lighting of these candles be an affirmation of that promise. Let the lighting of these candles also symbolize the light of truth.


Grandparents, please repeat after me:

Let this light awaken you to truth, and help you remember, the Divine light you are.

Godparents

____________ & ____________, will you support ____________ on his/her spiritual path, as well as, all other paths in her/his life? Will you promise to support the parents and grandparents to fulfill their sacred promise? If so, please answer, “We will”.

Godmother ___________, please light the forth candle.

Godfather ____________, please light the fifth candle.

Let the lighting of these candles be an affirmation of that promise. Let the lighting of this candle also represent the light of protection.


Godparents, please repeat after me: Let the light of these candles help you see through illusion. You are this light.


You have all made a sacred pledge to take responsibility for the development of this child. She/he is a part of this family now, and as a family, it is important that you honor, protect, and love each other.



Closing:

With abiding confidence and affection, we send ____________________ forth on your journey of life. May you be filled with thanks and wonder, humor and fun, hope and perseverance so that you may grow in wisdom and grace. May God’s blessings rest upon you, may His peace abide with you, and may Her presence illuminate your hearts now and forever more. Go in peace.

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