Baby Blessings, Baptisms & Christenings

My favorite recollection of a Baby Blessing was when I was invited to a home to bless little Jenny. Family and friends were gathered there for the joyous occasion. You could feel the love in that home. Grandpa was playing beautiful music on the grand piano. Flowers were everywhere. The baby girl was wearing the same dress her grandmother was christened in. Grandma and Grandpa ushered all the people into the living room. Then, just before I began the ceremony, Jenny’s father said, “Rev. Marcia. I’m leaving for the Gulf War tomorrow and I’ve never been baptized. Would you mind including me in the ceremony as well?” It was one of those times that it took all of my experience as a Minister to hold back the tears as I looked into the eyes of Jenny and her father. These are the memories that make me so glad I chose to be a Minister.

The early Hebrews called it Mikveh-gathering of waters, a ritual used for purification before prayer or study. Muslims habitually shower first thing in the morning, to wash away all negativity of the day before. Once they feel purified by the water, they are ready to start the day. Christians use baptism as a purification ritual as well. Once the mind and heart (and body in some cases) is purified, the person is said to be able to connect more to whatever or whomever they have chosen as their Spiritual Power-God, the Holy Spirit, Yaweh, Allah, Yehovah- many paths, one goal – a commitment to a spiritually focused life.

The ceremony is the public recognition of the presence of a spark of the Divine within the body and life of every child. It is an outward ritual intended to reveal the inner truth that God-consciousness has touched and abides in the child. The seed of perfection is implanted in every child, and awaits only the Baptism of Spirit, the outpouring of Truth, for the complete expression of good in his/her life.

In our Baby Blessings, we ask the parents if they are willing to teach their precious child that there is a Divine Power that watches over them and loves them –just the way they are.

We charge the Godparents with keeping their promise to love the child in the same way.

We do not 'dunk' the baby in a pool of water. Instead we place a drop of water on its forehead and proclaim that it is blessed. Then we ask each family member if they would like to do the same and bless the child in their own way.

You may have your baby blessed in your home, in my church, or any other location you choose. I would be honored to perform the ceremony for you and your family and I promise it will be a very, very special memory you will cherish.