Child Dedication

In Deuteronomy, we are told to keep God’s Word and truth in our hearts and minds so that our words and actions are constantly reflecting them throughout each part of the day, leaving an indelible impression on our children.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9

In the book of Proverbs, we are told that if we are faithful in loving God, the example we have set in our own lives will have a lasting effect on our children’s lives.

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

As much as parents are called to model authentically the faith we want our children to grow into, we are also told to observe our children and follow their example to learn how to live in the kingdom of God. In the gospels of Matthew and Mark, Jesus talks about the need to follow our children’s example.

“He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-4

“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” Mark 10:13-16

The Bible highlights the dedications of both the prophet Samuel, and Jesus himself as examples of parents offering their children to God, with thanksgiving and praise.

“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.  So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:27-28

“Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.”  So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord - ‘either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.’” Luke 2:21-24

Jesus emphasized the importance of cherishing our children, recognizing that how we love them is directly linked to our devotion to God.

“He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, ‘whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.’” Mark 9:36-37