Opening Words
“Welcome family and friends, today we are here to welcome and bless Marcus James. Melissa, Sean and Jaden have indeed been blessed with the birth of their son and brother, Marcus James. We are here to acknowledge that children are the greatest gift and most blessed responsibility bestowed upon a family. A spirituality is something that cannot be chosen for a child. Yet the desire to bless and protect them as they set out on their path is universal. There is something larger than ourselves that helps us through difficult times and makes wonderful times even better with the assurance that even when we are alone… we are never truly alone. Today we simply give thanks and celebrate the wonderful blessing that Marcus James is to his parents, his family and the world.
Melissa and Sean, the journey of parenthood is one of amazing beauty, this is clear just to look at you both. The love that radiates from and around you and your son today shall change over the years. We gather here because it is our wish that Marcus grow to be a man who truly loves his life. You most of all will be his guide on this journey. It is important to provide not only food and clothing to a child but also time and love and respect. So it is only right that this ceremony should include your promise to nurture your son in all ways as he grows.
Therefore as a promise to him and a reminder to yourselves as the years pass, I now ask you…
Do you promise to teach Marcus not who or what, but how to love, to trust, to respect, and to dream so that he may truly participate in the remarkable journey that is life?”
Parents: “Yes.”
“To be honest about your triumphs and as well as your missteps so that Marcus will have the valuable opportunity to learn from your example, yet still be free to learn his own lessons in life?”
Parents: “Yes.”
“That you will value his hopes and dreams and let him know that he will always be welcomed, accepted and loved or who he is and for who he is not?”
Parents: “Yes.”
“To expose him to a variety of experiences, showing him the beginnings of many a wondrous journey, instilling in him a sense of wonder and passion, and the knowledge that he alone has the power to complete himself?”
Parents: “Yes.”
“Do you promise to hold him close in your hearts always, yet still encourage him to stand on his own when the time comes so that he may discover his own true self?”
Parents: “Yes.”
“Today we celebrate all kinds of family and relationships. Marcus James was very lucky in that the family he came to included Jaden, his brother. Jaden has been exited about the newest member of his family since before Marcus was born. He even gave him his own special name “Marcus Allen Sweetbug.” From the first time Jaden saw his little brother he couldn’t wait to play with him and teach him things. Jaden is very sweet, loving and protective of Marcus and Marcus already adores his big brother. It is clear that they have a special bond that will grow as they grow. Jaden will you join us?
Jaden comes up
Your momma and daddy want you to know how special you are to them and to Marcus. They love you very much and are so happy that Marcus has such a great big brother. You and Marcus are so lucky to have each other! Would you like to give your brother a kiss?
Jaden kisses his baby brother and returns to place
“Children Learn What They Live”
Author Unknown
“Sean and Melissa have asked Kasey, Melissa’s cousin and goddaughter to read for us.”
Kasey comes forward introduces and delivers the reading
“Children learn what they live. If a child lives with criticism, she learns to condemn. If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight. If a child lives with ridicule, she learns to be shy. If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilt. If a child lives with tolerance, she learns to be patient. If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence. If a child lives with praise, she learns to appreciate. If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice. If a child lives with security, she learns to have faith. If a child lives with approval he learns to like himself. If a child lives with acceptance, he or she learns to find love in the world.”
Kasey returns to place
Interfaith Address
“Melissa and Sean have shared with me the way their different religious backgrounds have shaped who they are today. Jews and Christians hold both similarities and differences. We have different theologies, different liturgies, different holiday cycles, and different ways of celebrating the life cycle. Nevertheless, Jews and Christians share many things, and what they share is no less profound than our differences.
They share a belief in a God who can be approached through prayer and worship, a God who loves and is revealed in the Bible and in history. They share a book, the Hebrew Bible, which most Christians call the Old Testament.
Both Jews and Christians celebrate religious rituals at the beginning of life. In virtually all cultures, rituals for babies are moments of sacred initiation, and many share certain elements – especially joy and gratitude for the gift of a new person in the world. Most Jewish and Christian birth rituals also bestow a name upon a new baby. By doing this within a religious framework, both traditions give a spiritual dimension to the child’s identity.
Melissa and Sean share a common belief in a spiritual higher power. They believe in the beauty of humanity and the goodness in all people. They believe in the richness of tradition and wish to share with their children the traditions of their separate families so as to create their own spiritual journey together. Today they will bless their son, Marcus James, with both Godparents and a Hebrew name.”
~ Naming ~
“Jewish children living outside of Israel are traditionally given a Hebrew name for use in religious rituals, and a secular name for purposes of civil birth records and daily use. As a child, Sean was given the Hebrew name Daniel by his parents. Sean and Melissa gave their son Jaden a Hebrew name when he was a baby. Jaden’s Hebrew name, Asher Isaac, means laughter and smile and signifies his true spirit. Today, Sean and Melissa would like to present their son, Marcus James with his own Hebrew name.”
Sean: “Marcus, your mother and I name you Pele Eitan, brother of Asher Issac. We accept the responsibility to care for you and nurture you. We pledge ourselves to honor and cherish your uniqueness. We commit ourselves to the integrity of life and recognize the power of our living example.”
Melissa: “Marcus James Pele Eitan, you have been loved and wanted since long before you were born. We longed to be blessed with your arrival and we consider your presence in our life to be a true miracle. This is why we have chosen to give you the Hebrew name Pele, meaning miracle. Your fighting spirit and strong will has been evident to us since we first laid eyes on you which is why we chose to give you the name Eitan meaning strong.”
Sean: “We hope that this name will provide you with a sense of individuality. We selected these names because they are beautiful and unique, as you are a beautiful and unique human being.”
~ Jewish Blessing ~
“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 his father and mother call him, And one which people call him, And one which she earns for himself. The best one of these is the one that he earns for himself.”
~ The Godparents Vows ~
“It is often mistakenly thought that the Godparents are the ones who shall raise a child in the event that the parents cannot. But this is not so. Godparents are those who promise they will be there to help the child grow spiritually. Theirs is a place in Marcus’s life almost like a guardian angel. The promise is one of a physical presence in his life as someone who he knows will always be standing quietly behind him, encouraging him to make good choices, and sharing with him the lessons they themselves have learned along the way.
Melissa and Sean, as Marcus’s parents the duty to safeguard his future is yours. Have you chosen those who will aid you in giving love and council to your child as he grows?”
Melissa and Sean: “We Have.”
Melissa: “We have chosen Kasey and Chris”
Sean: “Because these are two very special people in both of our lives who we know love our son unconditionally.”
Godparents come forward
“While you are not Marcus’s parents the place that you have both taken in his life is an important one. Melissa and Sean trust your motivations and your judgment completely and they take comfort in knowing that although there will be times when Marcus cannot come to them, that he will always be able to come to you for guidance and support. By accepting the role of Godparent you say to Marcus and the world. I promise, I will be there for you as you grow into manhood. With this in mind I now ask you…
Will you as best as you can, help take care of Marcus? To protect him at all times from harm? To encourage, guide and support him in all his endeavors, help him recognize the beauty within himself and all things, and to become some day not the man we wish for him but the realization of his own hopes, dreams and the fulfillment of his soul?”
Godparents: “We will.”
“Each of you possess such beautiful qualities, and strength of character that have been a blessing to Melissa and Sean’s life. Today we ask that you acknowledge your acceptance of the task of providing a supportive community to Marcus. Through your presence and example, you will help him discover his own extraordinary talents and contribute them towards a better world. There are many paths, and each must find their own. So do you agree teach young Marcus all the things you know to be true in your heart, so that when he is fully grown, he shall discover his own truths. He will know which path is his and shall travel it with joy. Do you so accept this responsibility?”
Godparents: “We do.”
“May you always know how special you are to Melissa and Sean that they would ask you to tend to the most precious thing that they have in this world..”
Water Ceremony
“Water has long been considered by many as the source of life…. Water is in and around all of us, and is also a symbol of the human spirit— always in motion, never ceasing, only taking new forms….. Every element of God’s creation needs water to grow and thrive, to even survive. The trees and flowers, the fish and the birds, and all of us…….. Water nourishes us, cleanses us, comforts us, renews us.
So…..Because we believe and know in our hearts that Marcus James made his way onto this earth as a pure, innocent, and perfect soul, this ceremony is not intended to cleanse him from sin. It is instead to celebrate his life, and to signify our intentions to nourish his heart, his mind, his body, and his spirit…. to allow his life to flow in the direction he chooses each day, with the love and guidance of God and family to help him find his way.
Our prayer for you is that 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 love of God,
officiant sprinkles water over the child’s head
The love of your parents,
officiant sprinkles water over the child’s head
The love of your brother, Jaden
officiant sprinkles water over the child’s head
and the love of all your family, friends, and loved ones, whether near or far,
officiant sprinkles water over the child’s head
may love be all you know from this day forward.”
Irish Baby Blessing
“May all the blessings of our Lord touch your life today. May He send His little angels to protect you on your way. Such a miraculous gift, sent from above. Someone so precious to cherish and love. May sunshine and moonbeams dance over your head. As you quietly slumber in your bed. May good luck be with you wherever you go. And your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow.”
Closing Words and Presentation
“The Hebrew word for joy, simcha, is also the Hebrew word for party. Today’s blessing is a simcha that signifies the triumph of life, the promise of a new generation. According to Jewish law and tradition, all life-cycle events include a meal of celebration and expressions of happiness. Today shall be no different as the Argaman family invites you all to help them celebrate the blessing of their son, Marcus James Pele Eitan!”
