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CP1. A Child Learns What He Lives
If a child lives with criticism
he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility
he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame
he learns to feel guilt.
BUT,
If a child lives with tolerance
he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement
he learns confidence.
If a child lives with fairness
he learns justice.
If a child lives with security
he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval
he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship
he learns to find love in the world.
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CP2. Blessed She Comes
Hanna Tiferet Siegel
Welcome
Woman-Child
Newborn guardian
Of the sacred gift
Of cycles and seasons
Within and all around you
Be witness to the rhythms of
Surrender and renewal
Faith and love
Awaken intuition and knowledge
To the indwelling presence – Welcome.
We
welcome you
Into the world
Into our family
Into your people
May
you know from your early days
How we travel through the dance
Of dark and light
Slavery and freedom
Wandering and revelation
Planting and harvest
New moon and full moon
From the illumined place of now
The sanctuary in time – Blessings.
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CP3. Candle Lighting
Sandy
Sasso
When the sun sets
And the stars pull an evening blanket
Across the sky
Coaxing the world to rest and sleep
And us – to dream
We kindle lights
Eternal light
Remembrance light
Holy light
The light in children’s eyes
Hands cupped over candle’s flame
Drawing setting sun inside our souls
We build a memory and a home for light
We bless this moment
And give thanks.
Paused between day and night
We breathe a new soul into the world
We take a breath and sing.
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CP4. From "The Prophet"
Kahlil Gibran
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.
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CP5. Who You Will Become
For your interest, (baby's name),
I’m going to let you in on a little secret
I know who you will become –
Who (baby's name) will be
Past what the eye can see.
Although this ceremony, your naming, is a tribute to honor you
now,
I’d like to honor who will you become instead.
Is that okay?
Sure, I could honor you now – Who you are now on the outside.
Your tiny feet and hands
Big blue eyes
(family name) lips
Your squeaks, yawns and hiccups
But you are more than all that.
How do I know who you will become?
What is inside you - That will become you?
I know who you will become, (baby's name), because I know who your
mother and father are.
You will become the (e.g. good listener) that your mother is.
You will become the (e.g. independent thinker) that your father
is.
You will become the (e.g. creative writer and intellectual mind)
-
You will become a caring, sensitive, loving, giving, courageous,
honorable, gentle, capable, determined, generous, and beautiful
person –
Because (parents' names) are.
I know these things, (baby's name), yes I do,
Because I was lucky enough to grow with them, too.
I tribute this day to you, (baby's name),
Because you are already worthy
And already honorable -
You are already (parent's names)'s daughter - already (brother/sister
name)'s sister
Already a niece – a granddaughter, too.
You are already someone.
But who you will become
Is no secret.
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CP6. New To The World
Though you are new to the world,
(Baby's name), you are already wise.
Your eyes reflect the spirit of generations before you.
Your heart knows the joy of your mother’s song
Your body knows the gentle touch of your father’s arms.
And in your strong, tiny hands, you hold the mystery
Of who you are and who you will be.
Beautiful , already loving child,
May you be safe and welcome in the world,
And may you know, above all,
How very much you are loved.
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CP7. Mother's Thanks for the Gift
With all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my might,
I thank the Eternal for the gift of (baby's name).
I thank you for a healthy pregnancy, a safe delivery, and a speedy
recovery.
I pray for the continued health of our son/daughter.
I pray for him/her to be strong in mind and body.
I pray for him/her to become a person who greets the world with
passion,
Courage, humility, and patience.
I pray for the ability to love and nurture him/her,
To provide for him/her, and to educate him/her,
To understand him/her, and to allow him/her the freedom to grow.
I pray that (baby's name) and (other children) will together
Grow steadily in a home filled with the joy of brotherhood/sisterhood
and friendship.
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CP8.
Miracle of Humanity
You, our (baby's name), are a question addressed to humanity.
You will be blessed with your own special talents and possibilities
And you must answer them for your own sake and for the sake of humanity.
With your birth, the great miracle within humanity is reborn.
You are a new light in our hearts and in our home
A new brother to (sister/brother's name) and a new love in our lives.
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CP9.
Light of Truth
Danny
Siegel
May
your eyes sparkle with the light of truth,
and your ears hear the music of its words.
May the space between each letter of the scrolls
bring warmth and comfort to your soul.
May the syllables draw holiness from your heart,
and may this holiness be gentle and soothing
to you and all God’s creatures.
May your study be passionate,
and meanings bear more meanings
until Life itself arrays itself to you
as a dazzling wedding feast
(And may we all dance at your wedding).
And may your conversation,
even of the commonplace,
be a blessing to all who listen to your words
and see that Life is glowing on your face.
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CP10.
The Child Must Decide
Anonymous
I gave you life, but cannot live it for you;
I can teach you things, but cannot make you learn;
I can give you direction, but cannot be there to lead you;
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it;
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for
you;
I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful
inside;
I can offer you advice, but I cannot take it for you;
I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you;
I can teach you, of course, to share, but I cannot make you unselfish;
I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honour;
I can advise you about friends, but I cannot choose them for you;
I can tell you about the facts of life, but I cannot build your
reputation;
I can tell you about drugs, but I cannot say "no" for
you;
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I cannot achieve them for
you;
I can teach you about kindness, but I cannot force you to be gracious;
I can love you, but I cannot love for you.
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