Non-Religious Ceremony
Below is my non-religious baby blessing.
You may choose this ceremony just as it is written, or use my unique
Build Your Ceremony Menu to customize it to your wishes.
Keep in mind all wording can be mix/matched or tailored to you wishes.
~ Non-Religious Baby Blessing ~
Greeting
Moment of Remembrance
Opening Blessing
Declaration of name
Charge to the parents
Parental promise
Charge to, Responsibility and vows of Godparents/Guardians
Acknowledgement of Grandparents
Poem/Reading
The Blessing
Closing words
*****If you like you may add: Honoring a Sibling, or Candle Lighting
Altar is set up in the center of the room. You may choose to include other mementos on altar such as family photos, flowers, anything of special meaning to the family.
Greeting
Moment of Remembrance
Opening Blessing
Declaration of name
Charge to the parents
Parental promise
Charge to, Responsibility and vows of Godparents/Guardians
Acknowledgement of Grandparents
Poem/Reading
The Blessing
Closing words
*****If you like you may add: Honoring a Sibling, or Candle Lighting
Altar is set up in the center of the room. You may choose to include other mementos on altar such as family photos, flowers, anything of special meaning to the family.
Greeting
Officiant:
Welcome family and friends to this very special day! Today we celebrate the birth of this child _________. Every person born into this world represents something new, something that never existed before, something original and unique (*) Today we give thanks for _____ presence among us. Today we will bless ____for in her we see infinite potential. She represents the light of the world. She is our future. Only _____ months old and already she has made this world a better place._____ and ___ are grateful for your presence here today to celebrate, welcome and most importantly to participate in the blessing of their child.
Welcome family and friends to this very special day! Today we celebrate the birth of this child _________. Every person born into this world represents something new, something that never existed before, something original and unique (*) Today we give thanks for _____ presence among us. Today we will bless ____for in her we see infinite potential. She represents the light of the world. She is our future. Only _____ months old and already she has made this world a better place._____ and ___ are grateful for your presence here today to celebrate, welcome and most importantly to participate in the blessing of their child.
Moment of Remembrance
Officiant:
This event is shared, if in a different way, by those who are no longer with us physically but are here in spirit as we celebrate this joyous occasion.
_____ and _____ acknowledge and honor the bloodlines, the history and the people who have all gone into the creation of _____. They remember what it felt to be with these loved ones, and that through shared memories ____ may come to know her ancestors and the lineage that is her birthright.
This event is shared, if in a different way, by those who are no longer with us physically but are here in spirit as we celebrate this joyous occasion.
_____ and _____ acknowledge and honor the bloodlines, the history and the people who have all gone into the creation of _____. They remember what it felt to be with these loved ones, and that through shared memories ____ may come to know her ancestors and the lineage that is her birthright.
Dedication of Name
Officiant:
In every birth, blessed is the wonder.
In every creation, blessed is the new beginning.
In every child, blessed is life.
In every hope, blessed is the potential.
In every transition, blessed is the beginning.
In every existence, blessed are the possibilities.
In every love, blessed are the tears.
In every life, blessed is the love.
There are three names by which a person is called:
One which her father and mother call her,
And one which people call her,
And one which she earns for herself.
The best one of these is the one that she earns for herself.’
In every birth, blessed is the wonder.
In every creation, blessed is the new beginning.
In every child, blessed is life.
In every hope, blessed is the potential.
In every transition, blessed is the beginning.
In every existence, blessed are the possibilities.
In every love, blessed are the tears.
In every life, blessed is the love.
There are three names by which a person is called:
One which her father and mother call her,
And one which people call her,
And one which she earns for herself.
The best one of these is the one that she earns for herself.’
Officiant:
Names are important; it is by our name that each of us is acknowledged as an individual and called to live our own unique lives.
Officiant to Child: Now in the presence of loved ones, we give to you the name (Parents can say name or Officiant) _________.
Officiant:
Let it become a name honored and respected for wisdom and good deeds. _________, we commit ourselves to the unfolding of your promise, may you walk the path of goodness, beauty, and truth. Do justly and love mercy, and be humble before the mystery of life and the grandeur of the universe into which you have been born.
Names are important; it is by our name that each of us is acknowledged as an individual and called to live our own unique lives.
Officiant to Child: Now in the presence of loved ones, we give to you the name (Parents can say name or Officiant) _________.
Officiant:
Let it become a name honored and respected for wisdom and good deeds. _________, we commit ourselves to the unfolding of your promise, may you walk the path of goodness, beauty, and truth. Do justly and love mercy, and be humble before the mystery of life and the grandeur of the universe into which you have been born.
Charge To Parents
_____ and ___ Parenthood will bring you the greatest joys and the greatest worries. It is at once the most rewarding yet challenging of all jobs. Parents have a special kind of love in their hearts; it is a love without end. As _____ parents you most of all will be his caregivers and providers, his teachers, advocates, organizers, cheerleaders and champions. So it is only right that this ceremony should include your promises to your son as he grows into manhood.
Parental Promise
Officiant:
___ and _____ will you promise to love, nurture, and support _____, and to create a healthy environment so that he may grow on her specific path? Will you tech him right from wrong and to conduct your own life so that by both word and example, ______ may learn right from wrong, enabling him to make his place in society as a kind and caring person? Will you strive to do this to the best of your ability? If so, please answer “We will.”
Parents: “We will”
I would like to share the beautiful advice for parenting as written by William Martin:
Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives.
Such striving may seem admirable, but it is the way of foolishness.
Help them instead to find the wonder and the marvel of an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting tomatoes, apples and pears.
Show them how to cry when pets and people die.
Show them the infinite pleasure in the touch of a hand.
And make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself.”
___ and _____ will you promise to love, nurture, and support _____, and to create a healthy environment so that he may grow on her specific path? Will you tech him right from wrong and to conduct your own life so that by both word and example, ______ may learn right from wrong, enabling him to make his place in society as a kind and caring person? Will you strive to do this to the best of your ability? If so, please answer “We will.”
Parents: “We will”
I would like to share the beautiful advice for parenting as written by William Martin:
Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives.
Such striving may seem admirable, but it is the way of foolishness.
Help them instead to find the wonder and the marvel of an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting tomatoes, apples and pears.
Show them how to cry when pets and people die.
Show them the infinite pleasure in the touch of a hand.
And make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself.”
Godparents Charge and Vows(Or you may prefer the non-religious term Guardian)
Children need many resources of support and for this reason we have the tradition of appointing Godparents. These chosen people will have a special life long relationship with this child.
I would like to invite (Godparents names) to please come forward.
(Parents’ names) have asked you to take on the role of Godparents to (Childs name).
To be a Godparent is a great honor and responsibility. (Parent’s names) have chosen you with great consideration and care. They trust you and hold you in the highest regard.
As Godparents to (child's name) will you promise to love her unconditionally, be her friend, and inspire her, share yourselves with her? Will you nourish her soul and allow her to dream great dreams, help her to discover her own true self and let her know that she is never alone?
Godparents: We will
Officiant to Godparents: May you always be aware of the joy that you bring to this child and this family by taking on this special role.
I would like to invite (Godparents names) to please come forward.
(Parents’ names) have asked you to take on the role of Godparents to (Childs name).
To be a Godparent is a great honor and responsibility. (Parent’s names) have chosen you with great consideration and care. They trust you and hold you in the highest regard.
As Godparents to (child's name) will you promise to love her unconditionally, be her friend, and inspire her, share yourselves with her? Will you nourish her soul and allow her to dream great dreams, help her to discover her own true self and let her know that she is never alone?
Godparents: We will
Officiant to Godparents: May you always be aware of the joy that you bring to this child and this family by taking on this special role.
Acknowledgment of Grandparents (optional)
Officiant:
There is no other bond quite like that of a grandparent and their grandchild. Grandparents are a family’s greatest treasure, the founders of a loving legacy, the greatest storytellers, and the keepers of traditions that linger on in cherished memory. Grandparents are the family’s strong foundation. They have a special love that sets them apart from anyone else. They are always there to love you unconditionally, to listen when you feel like you’re not being heard, and to give advice that is always wise and pure of heart.
_____ is honored to have her grandparents (say all grandparents names) here today.
Officiant to grandparents: _____ and ____ are grateful to have you in their daughter’s life. May you always be aware of the very special bond between a grandparent and grandchild.
There is no other bond quite like that of a grandparent and their grandchild. Grandparents are a family’s greatest treasure, the founders of a loving legacy, the greatest storytellers, and the keepers of traditions that linger on in cherished memory. Grandparents are the family’s strong foundation. They have a special love that sets them apart from anyone else. They are always there to love you unconditionally, to listen when you feel like you’re not being heard, and to give advice that is always wise and pure of heart.
_____ is honored to have her grandparents (say all grandparents names) here today.
Officiant to grandparents: _____ and ____ are grateful to have you in their daughter’s life. May you always be aware of the very special bond between a grandparent and grandchild.
Poem Read by Grandparent, Godparent or Officiant
Speak to Us of Children
(by Kahil Gibran)
Your children are not your children
They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself
They come through you but not from you.
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
Which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, But seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterdays.
You are bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer seeks the mark upon the path of the infinite,
And he bends you with His might that His arrow may go swift and far.
Let your blending in the archer’s hand be for goodness.
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
So He loves the bow that is stable.
(by Kahil Gibran)
Your children are not your children
They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself
They come through you but not from you.
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
Which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, But seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterdays.
You are bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer seeks the mark upon the path of the infinite,
And he bends you with His might that His arrow may go swift and far.
Let your blending in the archer’s hand be for goodness.
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
So He loves the bow that is stable.
The Blessing Of The Child
Water is nature’s greatest element; in all the stories of creation water is the symbol of life. Water is infinite; it touches every shore, nourishing all people. It’s always in motion, taking on new forms -representing the great flow of life. It is a symbol of purity, clarity, reflection, wisdom and transition. It refreshes us, cleanses us and rejuvenates us.
We will now use this gift of water to bless this child:
Dear Little One, we welcome you with love, and ask for these Blessings to flow from Above,
May the love that surrounds you today will wash over you like rain every day of your life, just as this water rains on you now…
The Blessing of the Child
(As I will address your new baby I will use the blessed water on the top of her/his head, her/his forehead, her/his heart, both her/his hands and both her/his feet)
Officiant rubs the blessed water on the top of her/his head and says:
You are connected, protected, loved, and blessed.
Officiant rubs the blessed water on her/his forehead and says:
All your senses are blessed, protected, and awakened.
Officiant rubs the blessed water over her heart and says:
Your heart is blessed so that you may feel compassion for yourself and others.
Officiant rubs the blessed water on both her/his hands and says:
Your hands are blessed so that you may reach out to the world.
Officiant rubs the blessed water on both her/his feet and says:
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 are deeply loved and that your presence brings overwhelming joy.
We will now use this gift of water to bless this child:
Dear Little One, we welcome you with love, and ask for these Blessings to flow from Above,
May the love that surrounds you today will wash over you like rain every day of your life, just as this water rains on you now…
The Blessing of the Child
(As I will address your new baby I will use the blessed water on the top of her/his head, her/his forehead, her/his heart, both her/his hands and both her/his feet)
Officiant rubs the blessed water on the top of her/his head and says:
You are connected, protected, loved, and blessed.
Officiant rubs the blessed water on her/his forehead and says:
All your senses are blessed, protected, and awakened.
Officiant rubs the blessed water over her heart and says:
Your heart is blessed so that you may feel compassion for yourself and others.
Officiant rubs the blessed water on both her/his hands and says:
Your hands are blessed so that you may reach out to the world.
Officiant rubs the blessed water on both her/his feet and says:
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 are deeply loved and that your presence brings overwhelming joy.
Candle Lighting
Officiant
I ask that the parents and godparents each take one of the candles and light it.
These candles symbolize hope and new life in the world.
Then, together, light the center candle for ____, as the light of her life.
J_____, may the blessing of light be with you always,
Light without and light within.
May the sun shine upon you and warm your heart
Until it grows like a great fire,
So that others may feel the warmth of it.
And may the light of your eyes shine like two candle lights
In a window at night bidding the wanderer
To come in out of the dark and cold.
And may the blessings of God be upon you.
Be fearless and pure; give freely, be peaceful, sincere, truthful, loving and live life with an open heart.
Be compassionate and gentle, show good will to all.
I ask that the parents and godparents each take one of the candles and light it.
These candles symbolize hope and new life in the world.
Then, together, light the center candle for ____, as the light of her life.
J_____, may the blessing of light be with you always,
Light without and light within.
May the sun shine upon you and warm your heart
Until it grows like a great fire,
So that others may feel the warmth of it.
And may the light of your eyes shine like two candle lights
In a window at night bidding the wanderer
To come in out of the dark and cold.
And may the blessings of God be upon you.
Be fearless and pure; give freely, be peaceful, sincere, truthful, loving and live life with an open heart.
Be compassionate and gentle, show good will to all.
Closing Words
Officiant:
( To Parents): I congratulate (Parents of the Baby) on the birth of their baby, and the Godparents on their willingness to share with them the care and concern for the welfare of (Baby)May her life be filled with the good things of life, and in particular with the love and laughter of those who make up her world.
(To Child): 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 Guests): Thank you all for being with us today to bless and welcome ___. Let the memory of this day fill us with love and family. Go in peace.
( To Parents): I congratulate (Parents of the Baby) on the birth of their baby, and the Godparents on their willingness to share with them the care and concern for the welfare of (Baby)May her life be filled with the good things of life, and in particular with the love and laughter of those who make up her world.
(To Child): 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 Guests): Thank you all for being with us today to bless and welcome ___. Let the memory of this day fill us with love and family. Go in peace.