Yesterday was a special day. However, the Engineer joked that if we had any more children they probably wouldn’t get dedicated until they were in high school.
Most people have their children dedicated relatively soon after their child is born.
On average, we have dedicated our precious legacies around 15 months of age.
Sigh.
But alas, Naomi was dedicated with her good buddy, Ashton. (You may remember this fun post – written before I used LiveWriter -- with one of Ashton’s sisters.)
We kept the day simple, as we are feeling a bit busy and overwhelmed these days and had the grandparents over for brunch.
My friend, Brooke took the pictures and I think she did a swell job. The images are shot in raw. I’m not convinced that raw is better for editing.
What is a baby dedication?
Taken from what we see in the Bible, such as:
Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (Luke 2: 22b),
Because Jesus was set apart and presented to the Lord, we have chosen to follow suit and present Naomi to the Lord. (I often picture the Lion King for some reason, when I think of a baby dedication.)
It is a time set aside, usually during a Sunday morning or time when believers are gathered together, to present the child to the congregation. Here we proclaim that Naomi (insert your child’s name) is God’s.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2: 8-9)
We vow to bring her up in the knowledge of Scripture and belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Fathers,do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)
Additionally, the fellowship of believers agree to help train Naomi up in the ways of God, by being Sunday School teachers, involved in the Awana program, youth group, etc.
Likewise, we have our parents there (Grandparents) because they are also involved in the nurturing of our children.
This “dedication” does not equate to salvation. Nor is it necessary for salvation. It is a ceremony . . . a benchmark where we take a stand and promise to train her up according to Scripture. Not brain wash her . . . but train her up.
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. . . .
The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. (Deuteronomy 6: 4-8, 24)
