If you speak to many parents they will tell you how amazing, how joyous, how mind-blowing, even how miraculous, the arrival of a new born is to them. Life will not be the same again. You look into the eyes of a baby, hold the small clutching fingers, hear the power of tiny lungs, and something deeply moving - and I would suggest – deeply spiritual, stirs within us.

Sadly, this is not always the case for all "would be parents". As we know, many couples struggle to conceive; many "mums-to-be" have challenging pregnancies; there will be post natal difficulties for some parents, and tragically, infant mortality is an excruciating reality for some couples.

It is also important to acknowledge that having children is not always the wonderful and joyful experience mentioned earlier. We read all too frequently in the media that many babies born in the UK today are not wanted or in extreme cases are neglected, abused or even killed. Having a child, especially a boy, in many parts of the world today is welcomed for very different reasons. A baby boy can be a future source of income and security, or a means of keeping the family line going, or is seen as a source of family honour. And sadly, the birth of a girl is often felt to be an unwanted burden.

Historically in the UK, babies were often welcomed in a religious community through a ceremony such as the sacrament of baptism or through a “christening”. This ceremony is still much in evidence today, whilst celebrations such as a “baby shower” are increasing in popularity. Some families however, want to have a different kind of ceremony and this is where a baby naming or baby blessing ceremony might be held.

Interfaith ministers are well placed to hold a baby naming or blessing ceremony for a family. Many parents nowadays come from different faith backgrounds or one partner might be religious whilst the other is not. Often, neither parent is religious but might have a spiritual connection or may want to mark this profoundly life changing moment in a special way. Interfaith ministers are able and willing to meet the various needs of families in these circumstances.

So what can happen in a baby naming ceremony? Every event is unique and rests on the beliefs, values and requirements of the family, but some common features can be observed. There is often a moment of thanksgiving for the safe arrival of the child. Many ceremonies have a moment to ponder on the fact that the child is a unique being with his or her own unique journey ahead. Often parents want the opportunity to share why they have chosen the name(s) for their baby. Another common strand is to call upon family and friends to commit to supporting the parents and child as they grow together. And sometimes a prayer or blessing is offered for the future health and happiness of the new family. It will come as no surprise to know that the ceremony is often short (think crying babies!), and will have a party afterwards with gifts exchanged.

I frequently use the beautiful phrase, “From love, of love, for love” during a ceremony. For those of us with a spiritual perspective in life, we feel that the new born is from love (from the Source of Life, from Love, or from God), is of love (has been created by the parents) and is for love (has a purpose in this world). This seems to sum up for me why the birth of a baby is such a profound occasion and something to be truly celebrated.

July 2023