What is Baby Dedication?
A baby dedication refers to the ceremony of blessing a child or new baby and dedicating the upbringing of the child to the service of the Lord. This consecration is common in evangelical churches. It is similar to the Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran ritual of churching women, which is a blessing over women who recently gave birth.
It is based on the Biblical principle of dedication which is first mentioned in Exodus 13:2, in which God says to the Israelites, “Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.” While this is speaking only of the firstborn, there are many stories of children, firstborn and later children both, being blessed by fathers and grandfathers. This idea is the basis of the dedication ceremony.
Who Participates in Baby Dedication?
Any Christian parent who desires to give their child or children a proper upbringing and training in life and God’s ways can choose to present their baby or child in a dedication ceremony. Along with the child or children and the parents, there will also be an officiant – usually the pastor of the church or another clergy member. Sometimes, if there are godparents, they will also participate.
What Does the Baby Dedication Service Look Like?
There will be some differences based on the location and the denomination at which the ceremony takes place, but it is generally similar. It involves the parents presenting the baby before the congregation and the clergy, usually just before or just after the Sunday morning worship service. This is followed by prayer and a blessing on the child, and sometimes the parents repeating a promise to raise the child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord – a phrase taken from Ephesians 6:4, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
Sometimes the clergy officiator will read affirmations for the parents to agree to, which include such things as:
- recognizing children as blessings and gifts from God,
- dedicating children to the Lord and affirming that God will be in control of their lives,
- pledging to instruct and discipline appropriately, training in love to teach God’s Word and Christ’s character,
- promising to provide for their needs, including spiritual and emotional as well as physical,
- promising to pray regularly for the children to come to know Jesus and live as He teaches in His word.
If the parents have other children present along with the baby being dedicated, the officiator will likely recognize them, as well, as a part of the ceremony.
Usually the clergy and the parents take time to discuss the service and prepare the parents both for the ceremony and for the duty of bringing up the child the way God desires.
What is Needed for a Baby Dedication Service?
Of course, one or more babies or children are a requirement, as well as at least one parent. While it is not required to have clergy or a congregation, it does lend more solemnity to the ceremony to have both. Many people also include a certificate, and sometimes some other memento to commemorate the occasion.
Certificates
Sometimes parents like to commemorate the occasion of a baby’s dedication with a certificate that lists the child’s name, the date, the parents, and the officiant.
This package of six certificates features a faded image of a lamb in the background and blanks to fill in for names and dates, with 3 John 4 printed at the bottom.
Premium Foil Embossed Baby Dedication
Decorated with pearl foil arranged in a delicate floral spray, this certificate includes Scripture from the KJV.
Baby Dedication with Cross
These white certificates quote Isaiah 54:13 and have a cross embossed in silver foil.
Baby Dedication with Lamb
These colorful cardstock certificates feature a photo of a lamb and Matthew 19:14 from the NIV. The title is embossed in blue foil.
Baby Dedication with Baby Feet
Adorable baby feet adorn these 5×7 folded certificates. They have Psalm 139:14 from the NKJV on the cover.
Full Color Dedication
The green border and white-to-yellow gradient offset the red title and ribbon on this certificate that can be used for the dedication of any child, even if the child is no longer a baby.
Child Dedication with Baby Shoes
These folded 5×7 full color certificates include Psalm 127:3 from the NIV on the inside.
Gifts
Baby Blanket: Embroidered with Verses
These blankets are embroidered with nine Bible verses and are easy to care for as they can be machine washed and dried.
Baby Blanket: Scripture Throw
Embroidered with Jeremiah 29:11, this soft, warm blanket is perfect for snuggling.
Book: Bible Promises for Baby’s Dedication
This little book contains prayers and promises as a keepsake that children can love and learn from.
Book: God Gave Us You
This bestselling book is a great read-aloud book to teach little children that they are a gift from God.
Book: When God Made You
This book aids children in understanding their specific gifts and traits in the light of God’s purpose.
CD: Hidden in My Heart
This lullaby CD contains Scripture set to music to allow babies to learn God’s word from the very beginning of their lives.
Frame: Beveled Glass
This beautiful glass frame is ready to hold a photo of the child who is being dedicated.
Frame: Handprint
This beautiful 5×7 silver tone frame includes a kit to preserve baby’s handprint as a keepsake of his or her dedication day.
Gift Set: Everybunny Prays
This pretty little pink gift set contains a plush bunny that prays “Now I lay me down to sleep” when its tummy is pressed, a book about prayer that has beautiful illustrations, and a keepsake gift box.
This adorable little gift set contains a praying plush lamb that, when tummy is pressed, says the prayer “Now I lay me down to sleep,” a board book with prayers and beautiful illustrations, and a keepsake box.
Medallion / Ornament: Guardian Angel
4-inch tall angel hangs from a white satin ribbon. The card is printed with a sentiment entitled “On Your Dedication.”
Music Jewelry Box
This jewelry box winds up to play Jesus Loves Me and it has Proverbs 22:6 printed on the top. The included artwork can be replaced with a photo of the child.