Parents of a new baby may be asked “Why have a baby naming ceremony?”
Many young couples would describe themselves as “non-religious”. So when they have a baby they don’t wish to take it to a formal religious venue for some sort of ritual which will commit them and the child to uphold that religion’s teachings. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t want a ceremony in which they welcome this baby.
A Baby Naming Ceremony is a very special, personal way of celebrating the arrival of this miraculous child in your family. You can create the ceremony yourselves or you can ask a Celebrant to create and deliver it for you.
Many people in South Africa do not know that this option exists, so Wordways Ceremonies is spreading the word.
So what is the thinking behind a baby naming ceremony?
Well, it’s your way of announcing the arrival of this new addition to your family, to your circle of friends and to your community. This is your time to formally welcome this precious being.
To give a child a name is a particularly important part of receiving her or him into your home. A name is not just a way of distinguishing the child from other people. Parents choose the names through a loving process of discussion and reflection, perhaps involving research into the family tree or into the meanings of the names. The name lays the foundation of the identity of the child.
Promises of commitment to the child
At this ceremony the parents and other people who will be special to this baby make their commitments to the child. They do this before everyone who is gathered to witness these promises. The parents will declare in front of their family and friends that they will be the very best parents that they can be. They can explain how they intend to do this and express the values that they want the child to grow up with.
The parents might also choose particular adults, friends or relatives to be special supporting and mentoring adults to the child. During the ceremony they can also pledge to honour this request and state how they intend to help this child to grow into a confident and capable adult.
Special readings for a baby naming ceremony
The celebrant and the parents together can choose suitable readings, which will help to create a sense of occasion.
Now is the time for grandparents, aunts and uncles and siblings of the baby to join in celebrating this very special addition to their lives. There are many ways in which they can be involved in the ceremony. Fun elements such as balloons, ribbons and candles are popular when used as part of the ceremony.
Everyone present can be invited to express their wishes for and promises to this baby. These can be simply spoken or written down and put into a special container.
Other aspects of a baby naming ceremony
When you do this ceremony is up to you and your family. You can hold a baby naming when the child is a year old or more. How long it lasts for will depend on you and the celebrant and the number of elements you choose to incorporate.
There are different options as to where you have the ceremony too. It might be outside in your garden or a shared communal space. It might be in your home or in the home of another member of your family. Some people hire a bigger venue. It’s for you to decide how intimate you want it to be.
Some people have a very simple party afterwards, while others get in the caterers.
Although this is a ceremony, which implies ritual and some formality, it is primarily a celebration! While we might be making solemn promises to this new gift of a child, we will also be expressing our joy at her or his arrival.
Wordways Ceremonies can create a unique and deeply personalised baby naming ceremony. Contact Vanessa today to discuss your needs.