Baby Blessings « Back to Group Discussions

[Aletheia]

I've never had one or been to one.  All I know about them I've learned through bits and pieces at MDC.  I want to know more-- so I can maybe have one myself, and host one for two friends of mine.

So?  Ideas?  Experiences?  GO!

[RosieL]

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

I did a very simple baby blessing with just me and my husband based on the Nine Waves prayer in the Carmina Gadelica. We also gave her 3 gifts; a locket, an amber necklace, and a bracelet from my grandmother. As of right now we only have one gift for this baby because boys are harder. I want two more.

[prettyisa]

We’re doing one—my MIL sprung on us that she saved material from our wedding dresses (my sister made them, so we had lots of scraps) to make the baby’s christening gown. Except that there is NO WAY I’m doing a christening, or an infant baptism—they aren’t part of my traditions and it would feel insincere to promise a baby to a church we don’t intend to raise it in. So instead I’m working with a minister at the church we show up at once in a while to write a naming/blessing ceremony. I think it’ll be meaningful for us, fill MIL’s desire to have a religious ceremony without alienating my non-religious wife, and give our friends and family a nice excuse to get together for a little summer tea-and-cake party.

Since I had a hard time finding any that I liked (and because I am a big ol’ internet ham), here’s my script so far. The minister will be adding a blessing/prayer of her own, and we haven’t chosen readings yet. If anyone has any advice, I’d love to hear it! My wife said that she’s not ready to look at it until the kid is here, so I’m left to edit on my own…


Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

Baby blessing service:
Introduction
Welcome. E and S have invited you all here today to share in their joy at the arrival of their son/daughter, and to witness the promises and commitments they will be making to their child. On their behalf I would like to thank you all for coming today for this special occasion.

Today provides an opportunity to announce the name that has been chosen for a child and to say a blessing welcoming the child not only into their family and community, but into all of Creation. It is also an opportunity for the parents to publicly acknowledge their responsibility of their child, not only as its representative but also in the expectation that they will safeguard and promote their child’s health, development and welfare.

First reading--???

Naming
Now it is time to formally welcome BABY with love as we bestow his/her name.
E and S chose the name ___. SOMETHING ABOUT THE HISTORY AND MEANING OF THE NAME HERE.

Additionally, in the Jewish tradition, they have chosen a Hebrew name for their son/daughter: ____. BABY is named for RELATIVES who have passed on and who would have shared E and S’ delight in her/him.

BABY– your name has been chosen with love. We therefore name you BABY’S FULL NAME. We hope you will wear your name with pride and strength, and wish you long life and happiness in a loving and peaceful world.

Blessing—minister will write

Commitments
There is no deeper connection than that of a baby and his/her parents. As new parents, E and S’ lives have changed forever.

Before they were a couple in love, committed to each other in marriage. Now they have become a true family with that commitment extending to BABY. To be responsible for a new life strengthens the bond that E and S share and brings a strong purpose to their lives.

E and S, in front of your family and friends do you both promise to nurture and protect BABY throughout his/her life, and to support and offer him/her guidance in the choices that s/he will make? “We do”.

Do you promise to teach BABY right from wrong, and to teach the values of compassion, mercy, and respect for others? “We do”

Do you promise to do your best to be there with listening ears and open arms for BABY, on both happy and sad occasions? “We do”

Do you promise to tend to your marriage with humor and tenderness, to provide BABY both a happy home and an example of loving adult relationships? “We do”

Grandparents
E and S would now like their parents to also make promises to BABY.
Do you promise that you we will give to BABY the same love and support that you would give to your own children? “We do”.

Do you look forward to being part of BABY’s life and promise to use your experience of life to enhance his/her development? “We do”.

Do you promise that BABY will be able to trust you with his thoughts, his/her dreams and his hopes and do you promise to do your best to be there for him/her as a shoulder to cry on, someone to confide in, and a hand to hold? “We do”.

Godparent
A wonderful tradition in our culture on these occasions is the responsibility accepted by a godparent to undertake a special and lifelong interest in the welfare of a child, and to help him/her with his/her spiritual journey. Today J has agreed to become involved in BABY’s life by promising to be there for him/her should s/he need support, wisdom, comfort or guidance.

With this in mind, J, do you promise to teach BABY that we can learn from both success and failure, and also remind him/her that joy is everywhere, even in the darkest times? “I do”

Do you promise to find time for BABY, to be non-judgmental and supportive and to love him/her? “I do”

Do you promise to be a shoulder for E and S to lean on when they need it? “I do”

Do you promise to try to be a good influence by your own way of living, encourage him/her to observe worthy principles, and decent treatment of her fellow human beings and his/her world? “I do”

Gift
E and S have chosen to give BABY a special bracelet in memory of this day. (we attach the bracelet during the second reading)

Second reading--???

Final words
Thank you again for being here today and sharing in this special moment. After the ceremony E and S would like to invite you to share your own blessings or wishes for BABY in the guest book for him/her to read and treasure.
(Holding BABY’s hand) BABY, we welcome you to this family, and to this community. May life's richest joys and blessings be yours. May you grow in healthy of body and mind to full adulthood and both give and receive joy from all you encounter.

[Ravensong13]

We're planning on doing something like a blessing/Paganing type ceremony. We are big time Renaissance festival people and had a vow renewal there last year. Our officiant does baby blessings too so I think the first weekend of fest we;ll have something there. I kind of want to involve dd somehow, since she never has had any such rite done for her. We're thinking of the whole thing as a 'welcome to our crazy nerd family' celebration. Plus it'll be one more excuse to force our families to come to fest and dress up with us!

[piratemere]

All my babies are given a name and blessing by their dad at our church.  I made DS1's suit from the scraps of my wedding dress, and my sister-in-law made DS2's suit.  I am crocheting a gown, if I have a girl, and I will ask my SIL to make another suit if baby's a boy.  Baby blessings at our church are pretty simple, just giving the name and blessing the baby with all sorts of good things. When they are blessed they are encircled by their father and other men who are invited (in my case all my children's uncles).  I just love to see my babies surrounded by all the good examples of their dad, uncles and grandpas!

Here's a funny baby blessing story.  When my grandma was blessed in 1913 my great grandma and grandpa had come up with a name for their 13th child, and ggmpa was going up to bless her.  My great uncles had another name in mind, and so while they were sitting in the pew before the blessing they sat on either side of their dad whispering "Edythe Allegra" over and over (from a Longfellow poem, The Children's Hour).  When my ggmpa got up to give her a blessing he couldn't think what name he and his wife had given her, and could only think of Edythe Allegra.  So, that's what she was named.  I'd be so mad, but it worked out for them!

[Tulafina]

I'm guessing you're referring to a baby blessing like stated and not a "Blessingway" aka Mothers blessing?

I hosted my best friends Mothers blessing for her last April and it was the most amazing ceremony I've had the privelidge to attend.  There were 8 of us...all women and all supportive of the mama and her plans to have an unassisted birth. I had numerous things that we did together that were symbolic of the sisterhood of women that gathered around the Mama. I can type out all we did if you are in fact asking about a Mothers blessing. I will be having one for myself as well...my 2 close friends will be holding it for me :) I'm extremely excited!!!

[Thursday Girl]

I love all of these ideas.

Isa- that blessing made me cry.

[Aletheia]

I guess I am referring more to a Mother's Blessing. But I love hearing about the baby blessings, too-- isa, your script is beautiful! I'm loving all these ideas. But yes, I want to henna some tummies. :)