Bubba G’s Naming Ceremony Script by Modern Love Ceremonies
When Bubba G was 10 months old we had a divine naming ceremony for her. Our amazing celebrant was Cara Gallagher from Modern Love Ceremonies. I highly recommend Cara. She is a beautiful conscious parent who is also a trained actor and professional voice over artist (she has the most gorgeous voice and presence).
Here is the script from Bubba G’s Naming Ceremony (I hope that it may provide inspiration for other parents).
Copyright Modern Love Ceremonies:
NAMING CEREMONY FOR BUBBA G
Friends, we meet here to take part in a beautiful ceremony. We do so for a number of reasons.
Firstly, Helene and Shalom wish to share their joy with you on the birth of Bubba G.
They are pleased she has arrived safely in the world. They want to welcome her into their family unit, to their wider family and to the community of their friends and the world.
It is certain that the more love Bubba G receives, the more she will thrive and the more love she will be able to give to others. Bubba G’s connection to all of you will enrich her life and she in turn will enrich yours.
Your presence at this celebration today is appreciated, as will be your love and presence in the years ahead.
Let us give thanks.
Thank you for bringing Bubba G into this world and into our lives. Help us to live in light and with integrity, so that we may be wonderful role models for Bubba G and all our children.
BLESSING
Celebrant -
We will begin the ceremony with a blessing for Bubba G.
(Celebrant rubs the water on the top of her head and says):
You are connected, protected, loved, and blessed.
(Celebrant rubs the water on her forehead and says):
All your senses are blessed, protected, and awakened.
(Celebrant rubs the water over her heart and says):
Your heart is blessed, so that you may feel compassion for yourself and others.
(Celebrant rubs the water on both her hands and says):
Your hands are blessed, so that you may reach out to the world.
(Celebrant rubs the water on both her feet and says):
Your feet are blessed, so that you may connect with the earth, be grounded and stand your ground in this world. Know that your spirit is strong and it will guide you through this life. Know that you have angels to watch over you and that you are never alone. Know that you are deeply loved and that your presence brings overwhelming joy.
READING ONE
From The Prophet
This celebration is also an occasion when Helene and Shalom want to make themselves aware of their role as parents. This is expressed well in the words of the prophet, Kahlil Gibran.
And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, speak to us of Children.
And he said:
Your Children are not your Children.
They are the sons and daughters
of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you.
And though they are with you
yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love
but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts,
You may house their bodies
but not their souls
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit
not even in your dreams
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you
For life goes not backward
nor tarries with yesterday
You are simply the bows from which your Children
as living arrows
are sent forth.
At this point Helene and Shalom would like to convey a few thoughts about their hopes and dreams for their beautiful daughter and Helene would like to share the meaning of Bubba G’s name and why they chose it.
My hope for Bubba G is that she will grow up bathed in unconditional love and that she will always be free to be herself. I hope that she will have empathy and compassion for others and that she will be an independent thinker. My greatest wish for her is joy.
Her name means ‘my light’ in Hebrew. We chose her name because it is beautiful and unusual (without being weird) and because we love the meaning. Bubba G is the love and light of our world.
Bubba G’s middle names are Grace Elizabeth. Grace Elizabeth was my Nanna’s name and Elizabeth is my middle name. Shalom asked me if we could drop the Elizabeth part, but I said no way! We chose these names because they are part of my family’s heritage, because they are beautiful and because they have lovely meanings. Grace means elegance, beauty, loving kindness and mercy. Elizabeth means God’s promise.
Helene would also like to recite a poem, which she read to Shalom at their wedding. It has special meaning to them as a couple, and now as a family:
XLIII. “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…”
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, — I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!
Bubba G, may life’s richest joys and blessings be yours. May you grow to full adulthood in health of body, mind and spirit. May you play a worthy part in making life more joyful for those whose paths you cross.
Skype with Shalom’s parents
Saba’s poem for Bubba G (Read by Alex Drimer)
Shalom will now translate his father’s poem:
The morning that was born
turned on my light,
and the smile lit
all corners of the world,
and the prince on a white horse
started galloping
to the most beautiful princess
in the world.
THE PROMISE
Celebrant -
Helene and Shalom, Bubba G has honoured you by choosing you as her parents. Therefore, honour her and remember that she is her own being with her own thoughts and feelings. She is a child of the universe and has been given many gifts from the Divine, so that she can light the way for the future. Therefore, it is important for you to support her and protect her, so that her gifts may blossom and she can make this world better than it was before.
Helene and Shalom, will you promise to love, nurture, and support Bubba G and to create a healthy environment, so that she may grow on her specific path?
Helene & Shalom
(We will)
Celebrant:
Please light the first candle. Let the lighting of this candle be an affirmation of this promise. Let the lighting of this candle also symbolise the light of love and your togetherness as a family.
Helene & Shalom:
You are the warmth of this candle. You were created in love and you are love itself.
Celebrant:
God Parents, will you support Bubba G on her spiritual path and in all other paths in her life? Will you promise to support Helene and Shalom to fulfil their sacred promise?
God Parents:
(We will)
Celebrant:
God Parents please light the second candle. Let the lighting of this candle be an affirmation of that promise. Let the lighting of this candle also represent the light of protection.
God Parents:
Let the light of these candles help you see through illusion.
You are this light.
Celebrant -
In the words of Marianne Williamson – Bubba G, “you were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Therefore, let your infinite light shine and illuminate the world with the love that you are.
THE NAMING
I will now ask you to repeat after me:
(Helene, Shalom and God Parents)
We all agree to call you Bubba G.
We wish you a long life filled with light and joy.
FINAL DECLARATION
This ceremony will in no way inhibit Bubba G from seeking her truth during her life and any future religious or non-religious commitments of belief. In fact, it is our duty to present her in the coming years with a broad and balanced view of life, and encourage her in the virtues that we value – integrity, honesty, concern, fairness, light and love toward her fellow human beings.
Bubba G, the world is a better place for having you in it.
Friends and family, I now present – Bubba G!
Bubba G at 11 months. Image courtesy The Heart Temple
Best wishes