I am filled with joy to be presiding over baby Nathan’s Catholic/Jewish baby blessing ceremony this coming weekend. It was not so long ago that I did his brother Samuel’s blessing. Such a beautiful family! It is an honor to walk by their side, watch their family blossom, bask in the light of their love for one another.

Blessing Nina Anastasia.  She is a gift and a wonder.  God’s perfect creation. 

Here is a lovely example of a Jewish baby naming certificate.  We signed this along with a Christian baptismal certificate for this interfaith family. Each family makes their own choices.  Some of my families choose to have one general baby blessing certificate or a customized certificate that unifies the two religions.  This family chose to have two certificates.  For interfaith families, my message is that there are more options than you know!

At this interfaith baby blessing we combined the kiddush, the Jewish blessing of the wine, with an anointing taught to me by Rabbi Gelberman, where the baby is given lemon juice, for life will sometimes be bitter, and then honey (sugar water), for sometimes life will be sweet, then a drop of wine is placed on the babies lips, for whether bitter or sweet, it is up to us to partake in life’s richness and give it meaning.

Will you just look at these gorgeous children?!  I had the honor of performing Big Sister’s  baptism at All Souls Unitarian Church a few years back, and soon to be doing Little Sis’s baby blessing ceremony.  One of great joys is watching these beautiful children grow.  Thank you Rhe for sending the photo.   I love you and your family!   God bless you all.