Blessing the Child
"The life of this child is not only a blessing to her parents, but to the
community, to the entire planet, and to God. God has gifted not only these
parents, but the Earth with this soul. As we look into the eyes of this newborn
child we see wisdom and her connection to God. She is a radiant Being
whose every step on his earth-journey brings blessings to all those she touches.”
~ Rev. Judy Miller-Dienst
This sacred ceremony may be called by many names:
Baby Naming, Blessing, Christening, Welcoming, or Celebration. It may
contain whatever verses, prayers, and ritual you prefer. Whether traditional,
alternative, spiritual, non-denominational, or denominational, it is your choice.
I am honored to create a beautiful and memorable special day for your child,
family, and community, according to your wishes.
Welcome to the World, little one ~
Sample ofa Baby BlessingCeremony
The ceremony is held in a small country chapel in Montana, of which the parents are members. On a medium-sized round table near the altar, covered in a white lace cloth, there is a blue vase holding white roses and babies breath, three unlit white candles, matches, a silver bowl holding blessing water, and a white bible owned by the mother (she received as a young girl). Joining the parents (Gary and Alice) are the maternal grandparents (from Colorado) and paternal grandparents (from California), the Godparents (Matthew and Rebecca), family members and friends.
Both parents step forward. The father, Gary, is holding baby James. The mother, Alice, is on his right.
WELCOMING AND OPENING:
“We are gathered here in the presence of the Divine Spirit of Love, to honor and celebrate with Gary and Alice, and their families and friends the birth of their son, James Michael, into this world. This child is a gift from the stars. At the moment of his conception, a new world was born, full of new possibilities. This miracle of new life is God in form. We unite all those gathered here today to welcome James Michael to this world. We open our hearts and our lives to embrace this child so he may walk through this life knowing who he is and remembering that he is Divinely loved.
The life of this child is not only a blessing to Gary and Alice, but to the community, to the entire planet, and to God. God has gifted not only these parents, but the Earth with this soul. As we look into the eyes of this newborn child we see wisdom and his connection to God. James is a radiant Being whose every step on his earth-journey brings blessings to all those he touches.”
HONORING THE GRANDPARENTS
The two sets of grandparents are invited to step forward. The maternal grandparents light one of the candles, the paternal grandparents also light one of the remaining candles; signifying these two branches of the family tree. They are asked to repeat this prayer after me.
“Divine Holy One, we thank you for creating and bringing this beautiful, healthy child into our family. We are in deep gratitude as we step forward into the role of a grandparent. Please always be by our side, lead and guide us in how to best serve You God, as we bring the guidance and unconditional love to this child. We promise to support his parents, our children, as they raise their child, our grandchild, to live in love, receive and give love. We provide appreciation, respect, and acceptance to this new family as they walk this path together in light and love. And So It Is, Amen.”
At this time, the grandparents each share their blessings and hopes for the baby and his life ahead.
HONORING THE GODPARENTS
The Godparents, Matthew and Rebecca, are invited to step forward. Rebecca lights the remaining candle and Gary hands Matthew the baby. I speak directly to them.
“You have been honored by being chosen by Alice and Gary, to play a very important role in the life of their first-born son, James Michael. You have been chosen to assist in providing spiritual support, guidance, protection, and love to James. These parents have entrusted you both to be a positive presence as you continue to remember your connection to God. May you always demonstrate the very best of yourselves to this precious soul. Will you both take the responsibility to create a spiritual climate and assist James’ parents in guiding and supporting him on his spiritual journey?”
Godparents: “We will.”
At this time, the godparents share their blessings and hopes for the baby and his parents. Matthew then hands the baby back to Gary.
PRAYER FOR THE PARENTS
“Gary and Alice, you are beacons of light for James Michael. You are now walking the path of a sacred parent. Will you accept the responsibility of allowing an increase of the inner being of this child? To allow his light to shine? To encourage James on his human journey?”
Parents: “We will.”
“As you protect, nurture, support, and unconditionally love your son, you remember you have been entrusted with this blessed soul’s earth journey. This child is not your child, but God’s child. This child is the Holy One’s way of blessing earth and all who walk here. This child is the mechanism by which the spirit of the Divine may touch the spirit of Earth.
We affirm God protects you and guides you, as you protect and guide your son. May you experience peace in your hearts, your thoughts, and your home. May you show James the way to joy and harmony within all relationships, within the family and community, and in the world. We ask you to support this child in finding his own purpose and way of serving his community and the Divine. And together we say, Amen.”
SACRED WATER BLESSING
I move to the central table, pick up the bowl of holy water, and turn back to the parents and baby. I touch the water, then touch the baby’s crown and I say:
“May James Michael always remember his sacred connection to his God Source.”
I again touch the water, then touch his forehead and I say:
“May James Michael always be aware of his Divinity, knowing his light within, and seeing light within all others.”
Again I touch the water, then gently touch the baby’s lips and say:
“May James Michael only speak words of love and only hear loving words.”
Touching the water again, then touching his heart, I say:
“May James Michael always feel loved and bring love forward to others.”
Again touching the water, then touching each of his palms, I say:
“May James Michael always bring blessings of love to all those he touches.”
Now, touching the water, then touching the bottom of each foot, I say:
“May James Michael always walk gently on holy ground, knowing he never walks alone.”
CLOSING PRAYER
“Let us pray.
“Sweet James, you are love. Love is the essence of your nature. Love is what brought you to this time and place. It is the constant stream of love coming from God that sustains your physical life. Know, my child, this love is freely given by God. You will never be short of love. There is no scarcity of love, and, you freely give love. As love is given by your parents, your Grandparents, your Godparents, your friends, and your community, it overflows in the heart of the giver. God is love. God is Infinite, therefore love is Infinite. We celebrate in this moment, dear child, your arrival, your existence, and your connection with God in love.”
ADDRESSING EVERYONE:
“May we hold the knowing that this soul will see God in everything and everyone. May we envision for James Michael a life of health, ever-flowing happiness, and abundance of all good. May this child walk freely on this path of self-discovery, embracing his true self, living in love and guided by Truth. And so IT is. Amen.
“Thank you all for witnessing this celebration for James Michael and his loved ones”.
WELCOMING AND OPENING:
“We are gathered here in the presence of the Divine Spirit of Love, to honor and celebrate with Gary and Alice, and their families and friends the birth of their son, James Michael, into this world. This child is a gift from the stars. At the moment of his conception, a new world was born, full of new possibilities. This miracle of new life is God in form. We unite all those gathered here today to welcome James Michael to this world. We open our hearts and our lives to embrace this child so he may walk through this life knowing who he is and remembering that he is Divinely loved.
The life of this child is not only a blessing to Gary and Alice, but to the community, to the entire planet, and to God. God has gifted not only these parents, but the Earth with this soul. As we look into the eyes of this newborn child we see wisdom and his connection to God. James is a radiant Being whose every step on his earth-journey brings blessings to all those he touches.”
HONORING THE GRANDPARENTS
The two sets of grandparents are invited to step forward. The maternal grandparents light one of the candles, the paternal grandparents also light one of the remaining candles; signifying these two branches of the family tree. They are asked to repeat this prayer after me.
“Divine Holy One, we thank you for creating and bringing this beautiful, healthy child into our family. We are in deep gratitude as we step forward into the role of a grandparent. Please always be by our side, lead and guide us in how to best serve You God, as we bring the guidance and unconditional love to this child. We promise to support his parents, our children, as they raise their child, our grandchild, to live in love, receive and give love. We provide appreciation, respect, and acceptance to this new family as they walk this path together in light and love. And So It Is, Amen.”
At this time, the grandparents each share their blessings and hopes for the baby and his life ahead.
HONORING THE GODPARENTS
The Godparents, Matthew and Rebecca, are invited to step forward. Rebecca lights the remaining candle and Gary hands Matthew the baby. I speak directly to them.
“You have been honored by being chosen by Alice and Gary, to play a very important role in the life of their first-born son, James Michael. You have been chosen to assist in providing spiritual support, guidance, protection, and love to James. These parents have entrusted you both to be a positive presence as you continue to remember your connection to God. May you always demonstrate the very best of yourselves to this precious soul. Will you both take the responsibility to create a spiritual climate and assist James’ parents in guiding and supporting him on his spiritual journey?”
Godparents: “We will.”
At this time, the godparents share their blessings and hopes for the baby and his parents. Matthew then hands the baby back to Gary.
PRAYER FOR THE PARENTS
“Gary and Alice, you are beacons of light for James Michael. You are now walking the path of a sacred parent. Will you accept the responsibility of allowing an increase of the inner being of this child? To allow his light to shine? To encourage James on his human journey?”
Parents: “We will.”
“As you protect, nurture, support, and unconditionally love your son, you remember you have been entrusted with this blessed soul’s earth journey. This child is not your child, but God’s child. This child is the Holy One’s way of blessing earth and all who walk here. This child is the mechanism by which the spirit of the Divine may touch the spirit of Earth.
We affirm God protects you and guides you, as you protect and guide your son. May you experience peace in your hearts, your thoughts, and your home. May you show James the way to joy and harmony within all relationships, within the family and community, and in the world. We ask you to support this child in finding his own purpose and way of serving his community and the Divine. And together we say, Amen.”
SACRED WATER BLESSING
I move to the central table, pick up the bowl of holy water, and turn back to the parents and baby. I touch the water, then touch the baby’s crown and I say:
“May James Michael always remember his sacred connection to his God Source.”
I again touch the water, then touch his forehead and I say:
“May James Michael always be aware of his Divinity, knowing his light within, and seeing light within all others.”
Again I touch the water, then gently touch the baby’s lips and say:
“May James Michael only speak words of love and only hear loving words.”
Touching the water again, then touching his heart, I say:
“May James Michael always feel loved and bring love forward to others.”
Again touching the water, then touching each of his palms, I say:
“May James Michael always bring blessings of love to all those he touches.”
Now, touching the water, then touching the bottom of each foot, I say:
“May James Michael always walk gently on holy ground, knowing he never walks alone.”
CLOSING PRAYER
“Let us pray.
“Sweet James, you are love. Love is the essence of your nature. Love is what brought you to this time and place. It is the constant stream of love coming from God that sustains your physical life. Know, my child, this love is freely given by God. You will never be short of love. There is no scarcity of love, and, you freely give love. As love is given by your parents, your Grandparents, your Godparents, your friends, and your community, it overflows in the heart of the giver. God is love. God is Infinite, therefore love is Infinite. We celebrate in this moment, dear child, your arrival, your existence, and your connection with God in love.”
ADDRESSING EVERYONE:
“May we hold the knowing that this soul will see God in everything and everyone. May we envision for James Michael a life of health, ever-flowing happiness, and abundance of all good. May this child walk freely on this path of self-discovery, embracing his true self, living in love and guided by Truth. And so IT is. Amen.
“Thank you all for witnessing this celebration for James Michael and his loved ones”.
Omni-faith Ministry, a division of TMS, Inc. (c) 2012-2015, All Rights Reserved ~ Rev. Judy Miller-Dienst
No reproduction allowed without written consent.
No reproduction allowed without written consent.