Emma's Blessing
This is a lovely spiritual ceremony that includes a baby blessing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The ceremony includes a water blessing and candle lighting.
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Greeting
Officiant: Welcome friends and family! Today is a very joyous day for all of us. It is a day in which we celebrate the birth of this child, Emma, who has been sent to us by God. This child is a piece of God that was given to the earth to make this world a little better, a little more interesting. This child is our future and represents the light of the world. Erin & Courtney have honored all of you today by inviting you to not only witness this beautiful welcoming ceremony, but most importantly, to participate in the blessing of this child. |
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This event is shared, if in a different way, by those who have passed beyond this life. In particularly Emma’s Great Grandparents Lena and Leon Roadamel, who are no longer with us physically but are here in spirit as we celebrate this joyous occasion.
Erin and Courtney acknowledge and honor the bloodlines, the history and the people who have all gone into the creation of Emma. They remember what it felt to be with these loved ones, and that through shared memories Emma may come to know her ancestors and the lineage that is her birthright.
Erin and Courtney acknowledge and honor the bloodlines, the history and the people who have all gone into the creation of Emma. They remember what it felt to be with these loved ones, and that through shared memories Emma may come to know her ancestors and the lineage that is her birthright.
Invocation
(this is the beginning prayer to “invoke” or ask God to be present and bless this service that is about to begin)
Officiant:
Let us pray
Heavenly Father, we ask for Your Blessing here today. Protect our family and community and surround us with your infinite unconditional love. Keep us mindful that the miracle of new life is both a gift and path back to you. We ask that our sense of community be strengthened by what we are about to witness here today. Amen.
(this is the beginning prayer to “invoke” or ask God to be present and bless this service that is about to begin)
Officiant:
Let us pray
Heavenly Father, we ask for Your Blessing here today. Protect our family and community and surround us with your infinite unconditional love. Keep us mindful that the miracle of new life is both a gift and path back to you. We ask that our sense of community be strengthened by what we are about to witness here today. Amen.
Charge to Parents
Officiant:
Emma has honored you by choosing you as her parents. Therefore, honor her and remember that Emma is her own being with her own thoughts and feelings. She is a child of the universe and has been given many gifts from the Divine so that she can light the way for the future. Therefore, it is important for you to support her and protect her, so that her gifts may blossom and she can make this world better than it was before.
Parental Promise:
Officiant:
Courtney & Erin, will you promise to love, nurture, and support Emma, and to create a healthy environment so that she may grow on her specific path? If so, please answer “We will.”
Parents: We will
Officiant:
Emma has honored you by choosing you as her parents. Therefore, honor her and remember that Emma is her own being with her own thoughts and feelings. She is a child of the universe and has been given many gifts from the Divine so that she can light the way for the future. Therefore, it is important for you to support her and protect her, so that her gifts may blossom and she can make this world better than it was before.
Parental Promise:
Officiant:
Courtney & Erin, will you promise to love, nurture, and support Emma, and to create a healthy environment so that she may grow on her specific path? If so, please answer “We will.”
Parents: We will
Charge to Godparents
Officiant:
_______ and______, as Godparents to Emma God will give you the wisdom and ability to hold within your heart forever her spiritual welfare. You are charged with the responsibility of seeing to the spiritual welfare of this child should the need arise and it is you who stands as spiritual counselors.
Do you accept this duty and charge? If so please answer “we do”
God Parents: “We do.”
Do you promise to love, honor, support, and encourage Emma throughout her life?
Godparents: “We do.”
Christening of Name
Officiant: To parents
What name have you chosen for your child?
Parents answer: Emma Lena (You may choose to explain the meaning or any special significance of name)
We christen you Emma Lena , in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Officiant:
_______ and______, as Godparents to Emma God will give you the wisdom and ability to hold within your heart forever her spiritual welfare. You are charged with the responsibility of seeing to the spiritual welfare of this child should the need arise and it is you who stands as spiritual counselors.
Do you accept this duty and charge? If so please answer “we do”
God Parents: “We do.”
Do you promise to love, honor, support, and encourage Emma throughout her life?
Godparents: “We do.”
Christening of Name
Officiant: To parents
What name have you chosen for your child?
Parents answer: Emma Lena (You may choose to explain the meaning or any special significance of name)
We christen you Emma Lena , in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Officiant:
I christen you that you may know the pure and holy spirit of God, your eternal source of faith. May you come to know God within your heart all the days of your life.
I christen you that you may know the pure and holy spirit of God, your eternal source of faith. May you come to know God within your heart all the days of your life.
The Blessing of the Child
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Officiant rubs the blessed water on the top of her head and say:
You are connected, protected, loved, and blessed. Officiant rubs the blessed water on her forehead and say: All your senses are blessed, protected, and awakened. |
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Officiant rubs the blessed water over her heart and say:
Your heart is blessed so that you may feel compassion for yourself and others.
Officiant rubs the blessed water on both her hands and say:
Your hands are blessed so that you may reach out to the world.
Officiant rubs the blessed water on both her feet and say:
Your feet are blessed so that you may connect with the earth, be grounded, and stand your ground in this world. Know that your spirit is strong and it will guide you through this life. Know that you have angels to watch over you and that you are never alone. Know that you are deeply loved and that your presence brings overwhelming joy.
Your heart is blessed so that you may feel compassion for yourself and others.
Officiant rubs the blessed water on both her hands and say:
Your hands are blessed so that you may reach out to the world.
Officiant rubs the blessed water on both her feet and say:
Your feet are blessed so that you may connect with the earth, be grounded, and stand your ground in this world. Know that your spirit is strong and it will guide you through this life. Know that you have angels to watch over you and that you are never alone. Know that you are deeply loved and that your presence brings overwhelming joy.
Candle Lighting
Officiant:
In Christian worship traditionally, the lighting of candles has many spiritual meanings. The light of candle represents the light of a person’s life. The flame represents the eternal truth of God. The light shining forth represents God’s truth shining forth upon the world. For believers to collectively light a candle, represents the sharing and fellowship of faith; and traditionally represents the unity of the individual believers with Christ and the body of believers of Christianity, both in this world and in heaven.
I ask each Godparent and each parent to take one of the candles and light this candle. Then, together, light the center candle for Emma, as the light of her life.
I ask that at the conclusion of this service, each of you keep your candle for this reason:
Should there be a time in Emma’s future for which she faces difficult times of trial, or be called upon to make grave decisions – of hardship or joy, or become lost in spirit – you should, as the duty and obligation you have assumed today – find a quiet place alone to yourself. Light this candle or another and through pray ask for the safekeeping of Emma in both body and soul from our Heavenly Father, and the spiritual guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer of Gratitude
Officiant:
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing Emma into this world, into our lives. Thank you for blessing this child and blessing us all with your presence here today. Thank you for bringing this family together to welcome Emma to our community in love. Help us to live in your light and integrity every day, so that we may be good role models for Emma and all our children. Watch over us so that we may all get home safely today. Amen
Benediction
Officiant:
“The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his countenance on you and give you peace” Numbers 6:24
With abiding confidence and affection, we send you forth on your journey of life. May you be filled with thanks and wonder, humor and fun, hope and perseverance so that you may grow in wisdom and grace.
To the guests:
May God’s blessings rest upon you, may his peace abide with you, and may his presence illuminate your hearts now and forever more. Go in peace.
Amen
~End of Ceremony~
Officiant:
In Christian worship traditionally, the lighting of candles has many spiritual meanings. The light of candle represents the light of a person’s life. The flame represents the eternal truth of God. The light shining forth represents God’s truth shining forth upon the world. For believers to collectively light a candle, represents the sharing and fellowship of faith; and traditionally represents the unity of the individual believers with Christ and the body of believers of Christianity, both in this world and in heaven.
I ask each Godparent and each parent to take one of the candles and light this candle. Then, together, light the center candle for Emma, as the light of her life.
I ask that at the conclusion of this service, each of you keep your candle for this reason:
Should there be a time in Emma’s future for which she faces difficult times of trial, or be called upon to make grave decisions – of hardship or joy, or become lost in spirit – you should, as the duty and obligation you have assumed today – find a quiet place alone to yourself. Light this candle or another and through pray ask for the safekeeping of Emma in both body and soul from our Heavenly Father, and the spiritual guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer of Gratitude
Officiant:
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing Emma into this world, into our lives. Thank you for blessing this child and blessing us all with your presence here today. Thank you for bringing this family together to welcome Emma to our community in love. Help us to live in your light and integrity every day, so that we may be good role models for Emma and all our children. Watch over us so that we may all get home safely today. Amen
Benediction
Officiant:
“The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his countenance on you and give you peace” Numbers 6:24
With abiding confidence and affection, we send you forth on your journey of life. May you be filled with thanks and wonder, humor and fun, hope and perseverance so that you may grow in wisdom and grace.
To the guests:
May God’s blessings rest upon you, may his peace abide with you, and may his presence illuminate your hearts now and forever more. Go in peace.
Amen
~End of Ceremony~
