Baby Naming Ceremony
Sample
Includes
1. Sand Blending Ceremony
2. Rose Petals Shower ceremony
Today (Mother) and (Father) have invited us to take part in
this ceremony to express their commitment to their baby, while recognizing the
challenges ahead of them.
But while a child is a demanding responsibility that often
tests our patience and our understanding, it is also much more than that. A child brings joy, wonder and richness to
our lives.
What pleasure there is in the feel of a newborn baby
nestling in our arms, the smile of a toddler responding to our love, the small
outstretched arms reaching for a hug, and a tiny upturned face planting a wet
kiss on our cheeks.
Time will bring toys on floors and balls on lawns, a happy,
healthy child playing in the yard. There will be bruises to kiss, report cards
to praise, and drawings to display on refrigerator doors.
A child brings pleasure and wonder into the lives of those
who bring it into this world. But it
also means great responsibility; for what the child becomes is largely what
you, as parents, bring into her life.
Promises by Parents
Celebrant: (Mother) and (Father), will you be
the best, most patient and most loving parents you can possibly be?
Parents: We will.
Celebrant: Will you always love, honour, and
respect (Baby)?
Parents: We will.
Celebrant: Will you help her learn to love
truth, even when it goes against her?
Parents: We will.
Celebrant: Will you cultivate in her a kind,
generous, and sympathetic spirit?
Parents: We will.
Celebrant: Will you teach her that she is
stronger than the things she fears?
Parents: We will.
Celebrant: Will you encourage her natural
courage, curiosity, and sense of justice?
Parents: We will.
Celebrant: And will you model for her a
healthy and loving relationship that someday she may enjoy the same?
Parents: We will.
Celebrant: (Father) and (Mother) may all your parenting
aspirations be met and even exceed your expectations.
Blending of the Sands
Celebrant: Like
colours of the rainbow, we’re all different and special, valuable and precious.
Each of us has unique qualities and talents which makes us the individuals we
are.
Today, we use colours to indicate the people making up
(Baby’s) life. They stand for (Baby’s) (Father), (Mother), (Baby’s Sister) and
(Baby).
When these sands are blended together, these four people
join in their commitment to (Baby)and to each other becoming an united family
unit.
(Everyone pours the sand into the main jar)
The sand has now been joined together and cannot be
isolated. These grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the
individual containers, so will your family be a moulding of four individual
personalities, bonded together in a loving, supportive family unit.
Maternal Grandmother:
She's a little bit of
sunshine
She's a smile to
light our days
She will steal our
hearts and keep them
With her warm
endearing ways
She's our precious
little granddaughter
With a sweetness from
above
Who will fill our
years with laughter
And our lives with
lots of love.
Promises by Grandparents
Celebrant: (Father) and (Mother) acknowledge
the special relationship between (Baby) and
her Grandparents.
(Baby’s)
Grandparents will play an extremely important and active role in her life.
Grandparents, because of their life experiences and the knowledge gained
throughout their lives, have a wealth of exciting tales to tell and adventures
to recount. They have stories of people, places and events.
Through close
relationships with grandparents, children learn their heritage, social and
family history, skills, and many values.
Celebrant: Grandparents, will you remain
mindful that within this child, there exists an immense and awesome potential
that shall emerge as the years pass?
Grandparents: I will.
Celebrant: Will you always offer (Baby) a safe
and loving refuge?
Grandparents:
I will.
Celebrant: Will you trust in her potential and
lovingly support her in her ventures?
Grandparents: I will.
Celebrant: Will you guide (Baby) in your
wisdom and offer her counsel whenever she seeks it?
Grandparents: I will.
Celebrant: Thank you, Grandparents. May your
days with (Baby) be long and may you learn
from her as you share with her your
wisdom.
Paternal Grandmother
You look at us with a
certain knowing and a laugh of glee that almost says
‘I too am glad to be here
with you’.
The fulfillment you
have brought to this family runs so deep,
it is like a never ending river of
happiness.
As we watch you grow
and change,
we are richer with every smile and look of love on your tiny face.
You, my tiny teeny
grandchild are so special in every way
I
will love you more every precious day of my life.
From Granny and Pop
Promises by Life Guardians
Celebrant: The bond between parents and their
children is very strong, but the support and
encouragement of others is vital
for the development of this child.
(Mother) and
(Father) have chosen Life Guardians for their child for whom they have the
highest regard, who they hope will help shape their baby’s life.
Children need role
models who are not their parents.
Life Guardians should be willing to take a
special and lifelong interest in the moral and ethical development of this
child.
(Mother) and
(Father) recognize that there will be times when they do not have the answers.
Their hope is that when that time arrives, their daughter will be able to turn
to her Life Guardians for support.
(Life Guardians),
as you accept the role of a Life Guardian, you are agreeing to be an adult
friend to Isabella, to whom she can turn for loving support and guidance as she
grows.
Celebrant: Will you accept this commitment and
responsibility?
Life
Guardians: I will.
Celebrant: Will you be kind to Isabella, help
look after her, and surround her with love
and affection?
Life
Guardians: I will.
Celebrant: Will you give her your guidance?
Life
Guardians: I will.
Celebrant: Will you give her friendship?
Life
Guardians: I will.
Celebrant: Will you inspire her to do her best
always?
Life
Guardians: I will.
Shower of Petals
Celebrant: Today’s
ceremony recognises the many layered relationships that are being formed
between (Baby) and the many people around her.
There is the
first relationship between her parents and herself.
Then there is
the relationship she has with grandparents.
She can also
look forward to her relationship with her Life Guardians.
And last of
all, there is the special relationship she will enjoy with her older sister.
These are many layered relationships which stretch from the
past to the present and into the future.
Today, these
relationships are symbolised by the wishing shower.
Celebrant: As the Life Guardians shower (Baby)
with petals we wish that her ideals and
heart remain untarnished and ever pure, with the wonders of childhood’s
innocence forever hers.
(Life Guardians toss the petals over (Baby)
Celebrant: The
second wish is made by (Baby’s) grandparents, from where the family begins. As
the grandparents shower her with petals we wish for her a life filled with
tender love and compassion. The love that knows no bounds.
(Grandparents toss
the petals over (Baby)
Celebrant: The third wish is made by (Baby’s)
older sister, who will be most involved in her life. As (Baby’s Sister) showers
(Baby) with petals we wish for her a life of many friends who will remain
steadfast and unwavering in the years ahead.
(Baby’s Sister)
tosses the petals over (Baby)
Celebrant: The fourth wish is made by
Isabella’s parents, whose love for each other brought her into life. As the
parents shower (Baby) with petals, we wish for (Baby) a passion for life
forever kindled in her heart.
(Parents toss the petals over (Baby)
Presentation of Child
We came today to welcome a child, to recognize a family, and
to acknowledge our responsibility to the next generation.
We are blessed by the spirit of joy in this room, the
intertwined lives of family and friends, and the love and support for (Baby)
and her parents.
(Baby), may you be a light for yourself and others.
May the longtime sun shine upon you,
May all love surround you,
And may the sweet light within you guide your way on.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the newest member of
our community, (Baby).
Presentation of Certificates
1. Grandparents
2. Life Guardians
3. Baby’s Sister
4. Baby
