Baptisms and christenings are the traditional religious rituals to welcome a baby into the church. Although more people are leaning away from religious ceremonies, there is still a need to celebrate the birth of a child with a secular ritual. If you’re looking for a non-religious option for a baptism, you can create a ceremony that fits your beliefs. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Baby Blessing Ceremony
Pull in any elements of your choosing when you host a baby blessing ceremony. It could be an interfaith ceremony or a no-faith ceremony where you bring your friends and family together to meet your baby and welcome him or her into your community. Ask each guest to bring a special blessing to the baby, not a physical gift, but a hope or desire for the future or words of wisdom. You could create a memory box and light candles before having a meal together.
Naming Ceremony
Naming ceremonies are parts of many cultures. With a bit of creativity, you can structure your ritual around your own culture and traditions, including elements that have meaning for your family. Use modern technology to make a video of good wishes that your child can revisit each year on birthdays. Ask an officiant to speak words of wisdom over the child or bring family members together to provide special blessings. Instead of a balloon release, which is bad for the environment, hold a bubble-blowing ceremony as a way to send your hopes for your child into the world.
Plant a Tree
In many cultures, trees are planted at births and deaths to represent life and growth. Select a tree that is right for the growing zone and won’t get too large for the yard. Watching the tree grow as the child grows is a nice remembrance for parents and grandparents both. Dogwood trees represent loyalty and kindness. A gingko tree represents longevity. Maple trees symbolize intelligence and generosity. If you don’t have a yard where you can plant a tree, look for a small or dwarf variety that can be planted in a container or find a park where you can dedicate a tree.
Create a Time Capsule
You could incorporate a time capsule into your blessing ceremony or make it on your own if you can’t bring your support system together. Ask each guest to bring something for your baby to commemorate the birth. You could include family photos, a newspaper from the day of the birth, stamps, coins or other gifts to be opened when the child reaches a significant birthday. Label the box and stash it away in a closet.
Alternatives to Godparents
At one time, godparents would take over raising a child if the parents died. Today, godparents are more of a religious support system. There’s no reason to call them godparents. Humanists call these people “guideparents.” Some Unitarian churches call them Anam Cáirde, which means soul friends. You could refer to the person or persons you choose as a mentor or as an honorary aunt and uncle. The title itself isn’t as important as the relationship.
Create a Joyous Occasion
A baptism isn’t a spectacle. It’s a meaningful ritual to welcome the baby. If you want to hold a non-religious alternative, you can still celebrate your child’s entrance into your life with a small party that has meaning for your family. Don’t think about going over the top. Think about how to personalize your ceremony for your child and your support system. Make the ceremony about the child instead of any religion. Bring meaning to your child’s birth by choosing the elements that have value for you and your family.