In our church we don’t baptize babies, but we do have baby dedications. Have you heard of a baby dedication before? If not, I thought I’d share a bit about it.
Baby Dedication
Dedication of children to God was practiced in biblical times and is practiced today in many churches. You can find examples in the Bible of baby dedication:
- Hannah dedicated Samuel, to God and to the service of His house (1 Sam 1:27, 28)
- Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple in “Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord” (Luke 2:22)
Purpose of Baby Dedication
There are four great reasons to dedicate your child in the church. First and foremost you can publically show your thankfulness to God for your baby and the true miracle of childbirth. Then, you ask a special blessing on the child and dedicate them to God. Honestly, this service is really a way for the parents and family to commit themselves to raise the child to love Jesus. But lastly, the congregation can also commit to provide the facilities and support needed to assist the family in bringing up the child. It takes a village right? A fellowship or body of Christ to support each other in raising Christ-like children.
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Our Experience
I’ll be honest, we dedicated our daughter when she was a baby, but for some reason, we never planned this special service for our son. We must remedy that! Why do second children seem to get “left out” of things? I need to call our Pastor and plan a baby dedication service for our Little Man.
If you are curious what happens in the baby dedication, I’ll share our experience with my daughter. My husband and I (as well as my parents since they were visiting us in California at the time) were called forward on stage. Our pastor gave a short talk in regard to the child and the parent’s role. Then he gave a prayer and dedication of the child to God. It took only about 10 minutes or less. It was a blessing for sure and I recommend it to any Christian parent.
10 Bible Verses for Parents
I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there. 1 Samuel 1:27–28
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. Psalms 127: 3-5
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Colossians 3:20
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalms 139: 13-16
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Ephesians 6: 1-3
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22: 6
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6: 4
Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. Proverbs 13: 24
Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart. Proverbs 29: 17
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Great Gifts for Baby
Though a gift is not required for a baby dedication, it is always nice to get the parents some small item. Thankfully, you can find many appropriate gifts for baby at Family Christian.
- Dedicated Handprint Wall Art
- He is Risen Plush Bunny
- A Gift for Baby’s Dedication (book of prayers)
- Child of God Bank
- Child of God Photo Frame
- Jesus Loves Me Elephant Blanket
- Baby’s First Little Bible
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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with Family Christian. All opinions are mine alone.
We dedicate our babies too! I have four children and each one of them has been brought before the church for dedication. It also is our way of asking the church for help and guidance in raising our children, so important for any family to have the support of their church family. Such a precious time.