By Roger Coleman
(This ceremony is written for easy adaptation to a
variety of religious or civil traditions. It is appropriate for home settings
and can be performed by family members or by religious leaders.)
It was said of old, "There is a light that lights the way of everyone who comes into the world." It is the light of hope, God's gift of new life that, like a burned out flame, catches fire anew every time a child is born.
We light this candle in recognition of the hope and joy ________ brings into our lives and into the world. (Leader or family member lights a single candle.)
(When using the Family Medallion “Our Family” candle set, the pillar candle and a taper candle for each parent should be lit prior to the service. A child’s candle should remain unlit. Following the welcome, parent(s) should light the child’s candle.)
The potential, the miracle,
the beauty of children can be expressed in a thousand ways. In the New Testament
we find these special words:
At
that time the disciples came to Jesus saying, Who is the greatest in the family
of God? And calling to him a child, he put (him/her) in the midst of them, and
said, Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will
never become members of God's family! Whoever is as trusting as this child,
(he/she) is the greatest in the family of God.
(Mt. 17:2-4)
Before you now are ________ and ________ with their (son/daughter) ________, whose addition they acknowledge as a gift and whose presence they welcome with gratitude and humility.
(Others in attendance may be introduced including grandparents, brothers and sisters and friends.)
________, as you grow, you will learn the importance of relationships. The love and support that you share with your family will be resources that you can draw upon, both in times of joy and in times of sadness.
In a world where powerful forces seek
to divide and tear the human family apart, it is significant that the
powerlessness of a child is that which brings us together.
In prayer, let us give thanks for ________ and for this family.
God of Creation, like a mother who comforts her children, you bring us together that we might strengthen and provide for one another. We come now with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the birth of ________ and for the joy that has come to this family.
As a father cares for his children, so you continually call us to compassion for your children everywhere. Establish our homes in the holiness of your care that we may live in harmony as members of your one family. Amen.
A
name has great power. In the creation story of Genesis, God names the man and
the woman and commands them to name the rest of creation. (See Genesis 2:79.)
Each of us is given an individual
name for each of us is born into this world unique and precious.
To the Parent(s): What name have you chosen for this child?'
Parent(s)
will respond: The name of our child is ________.
(Parent(s) may wish to explain the significance of the name chosen. In
addition, they may share the story of how their child came into their life.)
(As the child is named, the leader may place water or oil on the child's forehead as a sign of God's blessing.)
In addition to our individual names
we also give to our children, by our love and support, a broader name:
Beautiful. It is the name conveyed in a folk song when a little child sings:
Beautiful
am I. Beautiful, Beautiful is my name.
________, you are Beautiful. Beautiful is your name. We want you with us. You are respected and loved, endowed with dignity, worthy of being cared for and protected. Whatever may come, your name has been entered in the book of life. Beautiful, Beautiful is your name.
In the
Scriptures, a basis for family relationships is found in the Book of
Ecclesiastes. "Two are stronger than one," it says,
"and a cord of three strands is not easily broken.” (Eccles. 4:
9a, 12b)
In recognition of this family and the family nature of God's creation, we present to ________ this Family Medallion. With its three merged circles, the Family Medallion represents a strong cord of three strands. It is a symbol for love that is greater than a relationship of two people, a love that reaches out to include others. In the giving of this symbol, we pledge to you ________, our continuing love and support.
(To be repeated after the leader. Participants may be invited to join hands.)
We receive ________ from the hand of a loving Creator.
With humility and hope
We accept the opportunity that is
ours
To love and nurture him/her
And to lead him/her by our teaching
and example
As we grow together
In faith and commitment.
________, you are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God . . .Whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. (Taken from the Desiderata by Max Ehrmann.)
And now, go forth joined together by the love of God; go forth with hope and joy and a heart full of dreams, knowing that God is always with you. Amen.
Quote for Brochure
In addition to our individual names, we give to our children, by our love and support, a broader name: Beautiful. It is the name conveyed in a folk song when a little child sings:
Beautiful am I. Beautiful, Beautiful is my name.
Family Medallion® is
a registered trademark of Clergy Services, Inc. All materials in this ceremony
are copyrighted. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
Clergy
Services, Inc.
816.753.3886
©
Clergy Services, Inc.
