Infant / Child Baptizing / Christening Service

Dear God, bless these words, and bless this holy moment of christening…Amen

There is great truth, and guidance in the following, entitled, “Children Learn What They Live” by Dorothy L. Nolte

If children live with criticism,
   they learn to condemn.

If children live with hostility,
   they learn to fight.

If children live with fear,
   they learn to be apprehensive.

If children live with pity,
   they learn to feel sorry for themselves.

If children live with ridicule,
   they learn to be shy.

If children live with jealousy,
   they learn what envy is.

If children live with shame,
   they learn to feel guilty.

BUT…

If children live with tolerance,
   they learn to be patient.

If children live with encouragement,
   they learn to be confident.

If children live with praise,
   they learn to appreciate.

If children live with approval,
   they learn to like themselves.

If children live with acceptance,
   they learn to find love in the world.

If children live with recognition,
   they learn to have a goal.

If children live with sharing,
   they learn to be generous.

If children live with honesty and fairness,
   they learn what truth and justice are.

If children live with security,
   they learn to have faith in themselves
a   nd in those around them.

If children live with friendliness,
   they learn that the world is a nice place in which to live.

If children live with serenity,
   they learn to have peace of mind

With what are the children around us living?

Your child(ren) will live in an environment that teaches acceptance and love.

Let us pray:

Dear loving God, we ask that You bless and consecrate this place

For this event of christening is holy.

Surround us all as our thoughts and prayers go forth to bless these willing people who now become parents, both physically and spiritually.

Recreate and purify their hearts,
Cleanse and renew their minds
Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the child(ren).

May the child(ren) always live in the awareness of the Christ present with a deep inner knowing that God is (his/her) help in every need.

Thank You, dear God

Unto you we give all praise and thanks through Jesus Christ. Amen

It has been said a child is only in our care for a short while. Every minute must be made as worthwhile for the child as we can make it.

Kahlil Gibran has wisely written “Our Children,” allow me to share it with you now, and let its words inspire you.

   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 yesterday.
   You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
   The Archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
   Let your bending in the Archer’s hand be for gladness;

   For even as He loves the arrow that flies—so He loves also—the bow that is stable.

Dear Friends, we come together at this time to baptize this child. It is written:

“They were bringing unto Jesus little children, that He should touch them: and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, He was moved with indignation, and said unto them, Allow the little children to come unto me; forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein. And He took them in His arms, and blessed them, laying His hands upon them (Mark 10:13-16).

When Jesus said to His disciples, “Suffer the little children to come unto me,” He was showing the right attitude toward children. They are to be received in the love of God. They are not to be kept apart from the things of God. They have their rightful place in God’s Divine plan.

Let us keep in mind the right thought about children, which is: For to such belongeth the kingdom of God.

Let us receive little children as equal with ourselves, as children of God. As we do so, we shall frequently see the light of God shining through them to lead us into right paths.

Well-beloved, you have brought here (this / these) little one(s) remembering that before this one was yours, this child was a child of our God in heaven. It is your privilege to stand sponsor for them.

Guard well this trust.

And now, realizing the love of our heavenly God toward these God’s children,

Let us pray:

Almighty God, we give thanks that Your love is ever-present and that You remember little children and do take them to Your great heart of love.

Increase in us our awareness of Your love and of a childlike spirit of faith and trust.

And these little ones quicken them. 0 Holy Spirit. Cleanse their human nature with the effluence of Your Divine nature, that they may be wholly consecrated to Your love.

Bless us with the grace of spiritual perception that we, as their sponsors in Your name, may worthily minister to and instruct them so that they may grow in wisdom and stature.

In knowledge of Your loving presence, and in the favor of human and in Your sight.

This we ask in the name of Your most gracious and Holy Son, Jesus Christ… Amen.

This child comes to you endowed with infinite possibilities of good. He/she comes to teach you as well as to learn from you.

Today you seek God’s gracious approval of the trust God has placed in you, and of your acceptance of it.

(Look at audience) We are here as witnesses, and by our presence, we testify that we believe you are worthy, and well-qualified to fulfill the obligations of your sponsorship to rear in grace, and God’s Truth this/these child(ren) committed for a time to your care.

There are many religions represented by the people that stand here in this room. I now ask each to pray in his or her own way blessing the parents and the child in a moment of silent prayer.

In silence let us pray.

(The silence is accompanied by a pause or instrumental solo.)

MINISTER. (to parents). Then, beloved, as you say aloud the name of this child, may your words be a prayer for wisdom and guidance.

Will you name this child—Speak the name at the same time.

PARENTS: (Both speak child’s name)

MINISTER (speaks child’s name). Baptism is done with water that has been blessed and prayed over, or with a rose (that has been blessed and prayed over) touching the forehead three times: alternative: rose petals. The minister may use flower petals symbolizing the innate beauty of the soul, and calling forth its expression. Flower petals may be presented in a silver bowl by an attendant, usually a Sunday-school boy or girl chosen for the service.

“I baptize you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Minister to the parents: “And now speak aloud the name of the Godparents.”

All rise for the Prayer of Protection.

The light of God surrounds this child,
The love of God enfolds this child,
The power of God protects this child
The presence of God watches over this child and his/her parents.
Wherever you are as a family, God will be there also
Bringing…
continual love,
health,
strength,
guidance,
and inspiration..

Amen

The benediction: (Minister touching child)

Dear God, endow this child with a life of countless blessings of happiness, wisdom, and health. Empower and equip this little one to grow strong and make a real difference in our world through living its life, by using the God-given talents bestowed upon him/her this holy day.

In Jesus Christ name…Amen

(If a Rose was used during the service it is presented to the parents with the instructions to put it within the folds of the pages of the family Bible. A certificate printed on parchment paper is also presented containing the full child’s name, date and time of the christening, location, along with the minister’s signature.)

This now concludes the service.

Postlude: Brahms Lullaby’ may be played as the christening party leaves.