Pastoral Practice and Theology

Having Children are Parents Legacy

A message for Child Dedication

Intro: A woman who could not bear children in the Old Testament is considered a curse
in the sight of the people. Having children, especially to a couple, are blessings from
God and to the family.

This evening, we gathered here to celebrate the goodness and faithfulness of God to
this family who will dedicate their child to the Lord as a sign of honoring God as the
source of life.

Child Dedication is not a sacrament of the church as in the same way of that
communion and water baptism. It is a part of the law of Moses as carried on to the
tradition of the church to affirm the sanctity of life, the importance of family, and the
responsibility of all to see children as a serious blessing and responsibility.

We need to dedicate the child to be pure, to set a part, and to consecrate to God. In this
manner, we want to give back the child to the Lord as what was done to Jesus when
Mary and Joseph presented Him to God in the temple. Luke 2:22 says, “Now when  the
days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought
Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.”

So, this evening, I just wan to share the verse that captured why we want to give back
the child to the Lord. In Psalms 127:3 in Amplified translation says, “Behold, children are
a heritage and gift from the LORD, The fruit of the womb a reward.”

There are important points which we can see in this verse with regards to having
children:

1. Children are a heritage- This means to extent our name and blood unto the next
generation as a part of God’s blessings and promise to us. (Genesis 1:28)
2. Children are gifts- It is the best gift God gave to the couple that makes family
happy and secured.
3. Children are reward- A fruitful womb is God’s reward. They serve to protect the
family like physical arms, and give their parents a sense of security. The more
 children we have, the more we are secured as what the Israelite build their
kingdom.

Conclusion:
Parents, Ninongs and Ninangs (godparents), always remember that having children are
parents’ legacy. It is a blessing from God and we need to give back all the blessings
and thanksgiving unto Him.

Ninongs and Ninangs, you are part of this child’s life journey. You are here to help the
parents take good care of him especially with bringing up the child the way he should
go.

God bless us all.