BABY NAMING
CEREMONY
CHRISTOPHER
VALENTINE
MURRAY
FEBRUARY 12, 2005
Rev. Dr. Toni LaMotta
Officiant
BABY NAMING
CHRISTOPHER VALENTINE MURRAY
Feb. 12, 2005
Opening Song: God’s Masterpiece –
Sung by Marti Capodiferro
Who presents this child for Blessing?
(Holly & Matti hisgodparents) : We do.
Dr. Toni: To all of you here present – know that This christening is a recognition of the infinite power of the Spirit in each of us and especially in this child who we are welcoming and blessing this day.
You, the family and friends, are involved in this service because you form a circle of love around Christopher today symbolizing the Divine Love in which all Life is immersed.
It is my belief that children come into this world whole and complete and that the seed of perfection awaits only its recognition for its outpouring of Truth, and the complete expression of good in each of us.
It is the work of all here present to remember this truth even and especially at times when Christopher may forget. Our role is to always love him unconditionally and remind him of his innate Goodness.
There is a story that I would like to share with you all today that illustrates what I mean.
When a woman in a certain African tribe knows she is pregnant, she goes out into the wilderness with a few friends and together they pray and meditate until they hear the song of the child. They recognize that every soul has its own vibration that expresses its unique flavor and purpose. When the women attune to the song, they sing it out loud. Then they return to the tribe and teach it to everyone else.
When the child is born, the community gathers and sings the child’s song to him or her. Later, when the child enters school, the village gathers and chants the child’s song. When the child passes through the initiation to adulthood, the people again come together and sing. At the time of marriage, the person hears his or her song.
Finally, when the soul is about to pass from this world, the family and friends gather at the person’s bed, just as they did at their birth, and they sing the person to the next life.
In the African tribe there is one other occasion upon which the villagers sing to the child. If at any time during his or her life, the person commits a crime or aberrant social act, the individual is called to the center of the village and the people in the community form a circle around them. Then they sing their song to them.
The tribe recognizes that the correction for antisocial behavior is not punishment; it is love and the remembrance of identity. When you recognize your own song, you have no desire or need to do anything that would hurt another. But, if you forget, you can depend on true friends. They are those who know your song and sing it to you when you have forgotten it.
Will you be those friends?
If so, say WE WILL
SONG: all sit and listen to:
YOU GOT IT by Bonnie Raitt
This consecration service welcomes this child, Christopher Valentine Murray into our midst and it is a promise of each of us here to always remind him of the truth of who he is.
We recognize that this child came forth from the Divine and that perfection exists within him.
Our blessing service symbolizes our conscious immersion in the Life Stream of Good. It recognizes Our Oneness with all that is and the fact that we can never be separated from our Good. We recognize that Christopher is on a new adventure of Life and lives, moves and has his being in the energy of Good. He shall always be in that all embracing circle of Divine Love.
First we ask his Godparents Holly and Matti — will you promise to love Christopher, to be understanding and patient with him, to share with him and help teach him as he grows up?
Holly & Matti, You are all being given an important task. You are being asked to pledge to help teach this child that he is a precious child of the Divine — to help teach him this not only by your words, but by your actions as well. And, you are being charged with the responsibility of seeing to the spiritual welfare of this child should the need arise for you to stand in as friend and counselor.
Will you do this to the best of your ability?
Holly & Matti- We will.
Joe & Marcy, parenting is one of the most demanding and challenging life experiences you may ever have. Yet, it is by far your greatest opportunity to grow in givingness, patience, honesty and unconditional love. Be willing to give Christopher your best. Realize that you may make mistakes from time to time — we all do — but learn from them and move on. Always love yourself. This is the greatest gift you can give to your son.
Joe & Marcy — Will you teach Christopher the Truth of his Being, that from childhood he may realize his unity with all life?
Joe & Marcy – We will.
Will you do this not only by word, but by example so that Christopher Valentine may learn to live joyously, creatively and harmoniously? Will you do this to the best of your ability?
We will.
I’d like to share with you a poem from Kahlil 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 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 might 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.
Toni ask Holly “As Godmother of this child offer him your blessing and loving words
Holly GIVES A BLESSING:
Ask Matti “As Godfather of this child offer him your blessing and loving words
Scott GIVES HIS BLESSING
Joe – as Father….
Marcy – as Mother —
Toni . dip rose in water and says:
Red roses are the universal symbol of Love. As this rose touches Christopher’s head, it is a symbol of the Wisdom that we accept flowing through him.
And as this rose now touches Christopher’s heart, it is a symbol of the Divine Love always guiding him from within.
I bless you Christopher Valentine Murray in the name of the Divine Life within you, and of the moving, Creative Principle of all life.
Invite each guest to come forward and drop a rose petal onto Christopher while saying a word or phrase that they wish for him.
Rev. Toni: I dedicate this child today and know that perfect intelligence guides and directs him and unfailing Love draws him into the ways of eternal happiness. I dedicate this child to the Universe’s perfect care and keeping. The Strength of the Divine Masculine upholds him. The Beauty of the Divine feminine presence fills him. May he be guided by a perfect balance of intelligence and unfailing love May his life be blessed and happy..
AND SO IT IS.
End by playing BABY FACE….
Ceremony Created by
Rev. Dr. Toni LaMotta,
(941) 330-9923