Radical baptism greetings to you
January 27, 2018 3:20 PM Subscribe
What should I write in this card for a child's baptism?
I missed my friend's child's baptism due to illness, but my friend would still like me to write a card to put in the child's baptism book. This friend is an activist, lesbian involved in BLM and other left wing groups. Weekends are for rallies, evenings are for activist meetings.
I looked up messages that you can put into a baptism card and they are all:
"Let God be the guiding light for you. May you be a wise person in your life and follow the path of wisdom of Lord Jesus. God Bless You." or
"Welcome to the Christian world! May the good Lord bless your life with special blessings from heaven and may your Baptism day be filled with very special love. "
This seems out of line with my friend's family and I'd like to write something that is more fitting for them. What would that be?
Just to add, I'm not christian - so even if "following the path of Jesus" and "God bless" were still appropriate, I wouldn't really be the right person to be writing those things.
I missed my friend's child's baptism due to illness, but my friend would still like me to write a card to put in the child's baptism book. This friend is an activist, lesbian involved in BLM and other left wing groups. Weekends are for rallies, evenings are for activist meetings.
I looked up messages that you can put into a baptism card and they are all:
"Let God be the guiding light for you. May you be a wise person in your life and follow the path of wisdom of Lord Jesus. God Bless You." or
"Welcome to the Christian world! May the good Lord bless your life with special blessings from heaven and may your Baptism day be filled with very special love. "
This seems out of line with my friend's family and I'd like to write something that is more fitting for them. What would that be?
Just to add, I'm not christian - so even if "following the path of Jesus" and "God bless" were still appropriate, I wouldn't really be the right person to be writing those things.
You could tweak some of those messages:
"May you always be guided by light and follow the path of the wise."
"May your life be blessed and filled with love."
posted by bunderful at 3:44 PM on January 27, 2018 [6 favorites]
"May you always be guided by light and follow the path of the wise."
"May your life be blessed and filled with love."
posted by bunderful at 3:44 PM on January 27, 2018 [6 favorites]
I feel like the secular activist version of that "welcome to the True Path" stuff is something like "I bet you're going to do awesome things and make the world so much better, and I'm rooting for you so hard."
Gussy it up in fancy language or don't as you see fit.
posted by nebulawindphone at 4:36 PM on January 27, 2018 [8 favorites]
Gussy it up in fancy language or don't as you see fit.
posted by nebulawindphone at 4:36 PM on January 27, 2018 [8 favorites]
"Congratulations on the beginning of your spiritual journey, and I can't wait to see the person you'll become" is another direction you could go.
You could also write something personal about how baby's mom has been an inspiration/moral rock/whatever in your life, and you're incredibly excited to see her child become a person who will share many of those same strengths etc.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:59 PM on January 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
You could also write something personal about how baby's mom has been an inspiration/moral rock/whatever in your life, and you're incredibly excited to see her child become a person who will share many of those same strengths etc.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:59 PM on January 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
The thing that these two aspects of your friend's life have in common is that both of them are about community involvement. The baptism allows the kiddo to be part of a community - one that historically has done a lot of activism. Don't forget that MLK was a baptist minister.
So maybe something like "I'm so happy that you're here, Baby Name! May you be surrounded by caring people all your life and be able to share that with others as you grow."
posted by Mizu at 5:31 PM on January 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
So maybe something like "I'm so happy that you're here, Baby Name! May you be surrounded by caring people all your life and be able to share that with others as you grow."
posted by Mizu at 5:31 PM on January 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
I would go with Vonnegut:
Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies - "God damn it, you've got to be kind”.posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 5:52 PM on January 27, 2018 [11 favorites]
Perhaps some variation of this from the baptismal covenant in the Episcopal church:
"-Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
-I will, with God's help."
posted by SLC Mom at 9:59 PM on January 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
"-Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
-I will, with God's help."
posted by SLC Mom at 9:59 PM on January 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
It's kind of both religious and radical, but I'm particularly fond (for moments like these) of "And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.", or the more modern, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."
posted by corb at 11:49 PM on January 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by corb at 11:49 PM on January 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
From The Lovingkindness Survival Kit:
BIRTHposted by Lexica at 11:49 AM on January 28, 2018 [3 favorites]
Welcome, Child; you are a part of this Earth.
You are cradled in blue oceans;
you are bathed in golden light;
you are wrapped in green grasses;
you are made shining by the stars.
Welcome, Child.
The redwood is your friend,
and the Joshua Tree;
the fern is your companion,
and the wild berry garland.
There will be rain for you, hushing;
and thunder for you, roaring;
and lightning for you, dancing;
and all this perfect world for you,
turning.
Welcome, Child.
Amen.
(Note: If the plants and trees named are not suitable for the situation, use those you find around you or those dearest to you.)
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posted by DarlingBri at 3:41 PM on January 27, 2018 [2 favorites]