From the Pastor’s Desk (277)
We are having lots of babies these days, and it is an exciting thing. And God told us to be fruitful and multiply, so we are also doing the right thing. I love seeing babies being born in our church.
However, raising children in this day and age is not an easy matter. In fact, it is a daunting task to raise our children based on biblical principles because the world is getting increasingly more evil and there is so much opposition against Christian faith. Therefore, we need all the help we can get in raising our children.
In order to help you with your parenting, we offer Parenting 101 and Parenting 201 taught by Pastor Mia and Joe who has a doctorate degree in education. However, what is more important than this is baby dedication because it reveals and displays the condition of your heart towards God and your baby. No matter how much you learn about parenting and how hard you try to apply it in your life, if you don’t have the right relationship with God and with your baby, then all will end up being just techniques. Techniques do not change people. Techniques based on the right heart and relationship change people.
So then, what is baby dedication? It is not a ceremony that has some sort of magical power in it. Interestingly, some people seem to approach baby dedication as if it is an insurance that, if you have your baby go through it, somehow God will protect him all throughout his life. But this is not what baby dedication is at all.
Baby dedication is a time when the parents stand before God and in the presence of church members who serve as witnesses, first and foremost, to acknowledge that the baby in their arms is from God and to thank Him for the precious gift of life, and then, to commit themselves to do their best to raise their child in the way that God would be pleased with. In other words, it is a time for the parents to demonstrate their gratitude and commitment towards God.
Therefore, the best time to do baby dedication is as soon as your child is born. When someone gives you a gift, the best time to acknowledge and thank the giver is as soon as you receive it. The same concept applies to baby dedication.
Jesus was dedicated in the temple by his earthly parents when he was just eight days old according to the Law of Moses. My wife and I brought out all our three sons to church when they were two weeks old, and we dedicated them to the Lord committing ourselves to do our best in raising them according to God’s way.
I understand about the vaccination that your baby needs to get. However, delaying your baby dedication and delaying your returning to the place of your worship is neither good for you nor for your baby spiritually. Let’s not get too uptight about your baby’s vaccination but be reasonable and come out to church as quickly as possible.
Pastor Mia and Joe teach Parenting 101 several times a year. This class is required for you to dedicate your baby. And we encourage couples to take this class before your baby is born and to dedicate your baby before he/she is eight weeks old. Therefore, allow me to dedicate your baby when he/she is no more than eight weeks old.
Your pastor,
Eric
No Comments to "Baby Dedication"
