Catherine Rigg Celebrant

Naming Ceremony Readings

Below are readings and poems that have been well received at baby namings. There are so many options to choose from including readings, poetry, song lyrics, literature (including the text from picture books) or prayers to make your ceremony unique for your family's story. You are certainly not restricted to these, but they may help you decide on your preferences. I can also assist in finding the perfect readings for your child's special day.

Blessing of Light

And to you, (child’s name),

May the blessing of light be with you always,

Light without and light within.

May the sun shine upon you and warm your heart

Until it grows like a great fire,

So that others may feel the warmth of it.

And may the light of your eyes shine like two candle lights

In a window at night bidding the wanderer

To come in out of the dark and cold.

And may the blessing of the rain be upon you.

The sweet and tender rain, may it fall upon your spirit,

As when flowers spring up and fragrance fills the air.

And may the blessings of the great rain wash you clean and fair,

And may the storms always leave you stronger and more beautiful.

And when the rains are over may there be clear pools of water

Made beautiful by the radiance of your light,

As when a star shines beautiful in the night,

Pointing the way for all of us.

Be fearless and pure; never waver in your determination

or your dedication to the spiritual life.

Give freely, be peaceful, sincere, truthful, loving and live life with an open heart.

Be compassionate and gentle, show good will to all.

God bless you …and welcome to the world.

by Author Unknown

I Loved You from the Very Start

I loved you from the very start,

You stole my breath, embraced my heart.

Our life together has just begun,

You’re part of me, my little one.

As mother with child, each day I grew,

My mind was filled with thoughts of you.

I’d daydream of the things we’d share,

Like late-night bottles and teddy bears.

Like first steps and skinned knees,

Like bedtime stories and ABC’s.

I thought of things you’d want to know,

Like how birds fly and flowers grow.

I thought of lessons I’d need to share,

Like standing tall and playing fair.

When I first saw your precious face,

I prayed your life be touched with grace.

I thanked the angels from above,

And promised you unending love.

Each night I lay you down to sleep,

I gently kiss your head and cheek.

I count your little fingers and toes;

I memorise your eyes and nose.

I linger at your nursery door,

Awed each day I love you more.

Through misty eyes, I dim the light,

I whisper, “I love you” every night.

I loved you from the very start,

You stole my breath, embraced my heart.

As mother and child our journeys begin,

My heart’s yours forever my little friend.

by Author Unknown

The Gift

I want to give you something, my child,

for we are drifting in the stream of the world.

Our lives will be carried apart, and our love forgotten.

But I am not so foolish as to hope that I could buy your heart with my gifts.

Young is your life, your path long, and you drink the love we bring you

at one draught and turn and run away from us.

You have your play and your playmates.

What harm is there if you have no time or thought for us?

We, indeed, have leisure enough in old age to count the days that are past, to cherish in our hearts what our hands have lost for ever.

The river runs swift with a song, breaking through all barriers. But the mountain stays and remembers, and follows her with his love.

by Rabindranath Tagore

A Message for My Child

I wish that I could show you

all the things that I have seen.

I wish that I could take you

everywhere that I have been.

I wish that I could indicate

the places where I fell,

And keep you, thus, from tripping

on those “rougher” spots as well.

I wish that I could do all this

and save you from the strife.

But I know that I’d be sparing you

the lessons of your life.

And you must learn those lessons

as hard as that may be,

Just know that you will always have

a helping hand from me.

by Jessica Wesolek

Love You More

Do I love you

to the moon and back?

No I love you

more than that

I love you to the desert sands

the mountains, stars

the planets and

I love you to the deepest sea

and deeper still

through history

Before beyond I love you then

I love you now

I'll love you when

The sun's gone out

the moon's gone home

and all the stars are fully grown

When I no longer say these words

I'll give them to the wind, the birds

so that they will still be heard

I love you

by James Carter from

A Poem for Every Night of the Year