{"id":1876,"date":"2022-02-18T10:49:30","date_gmt":"2022-02-18T10:49:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.argyll-bute.gov.uk\/marriage\/?p=1876"},"modified":"2022-02-18T11:50:34","modified_gmt":"2022-02-18T11:50:34","slug":"readings-and-poems-naming-ceremonies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.argyll-bute.gov.uk\/marriage\/2022\/02\/readings-and-poems-naming-ceremonies\/","title":{"rendered":"Readings and poems for naming ceremonies"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A MOTHERS WISH<\/strong><\/h3>

I hope my child looks back on today<\/p>

And sees a parent who had time to play<\/p>

There will be years for cleaning and cooking<\/p>

But children grow up when you\u2019re not looking<\/p>

So settle down, cobwebs, dust, go to sleep<\/p>

I\u2019m cuddling my baby, and babies don\u2019t keep<\/p>

2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 EXAMPLE OF PARENTHOOD<\/strong><\/h3>

There are little eyes upon you and they\u2019re watching night and day<\/p>

There are little ears that quickly take in everything you say<\/p>

There are little hands all eager to do everything you do<\/p>

And a little boy (girl) who\u2019s dreaming of the day he\u2019ll (she\u2019ll) be like you.<\/p>

You\u2019re the little fellow\u2019s (lady\u2019s) idol, you\u2019re the wisest of the wise<\/p>

In his (her) little mind about you no suspicions ever rise<\/p>

There\u2019s a wide-eyed little fellow (lady) who believes you\u2019re always right<\/p>

And his (her) ears are always open and he (she) watches day and night.<\/p>

You are setting an example every day in all you do<\/p>

For the little boy (girl) who\u2019s waiting to grow up to be like you.<\/p>

3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 IF<\/strong><\/h3>

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn<\/p>

If children live with hostility, they learn how to fight<\/p>

If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy<\/p>

If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty<\/p>

If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient<\/p>

If children live with encouragement, they learn to have confidence<\/p>

If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate<\/p>

If children live with fairness, they learn justice<\/p>

If children live with security, they learn to have faith<\/p>

If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves<\/p>

If children live with love around them, they learn to give love to the world.<\/p>

4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ON BEING A GRANDPARENT<\/strong><\/h3>

It\u2019s very special to be a grandparent it\u2019s not an everyday event<\/p>

We have to make special arrangements to see each other<\/p>

And if I weary of childish behaviour<\/p>

Then I know that we shall eventually part again<\/p>

So I can afford to be tolerant<\/p>

It\u2019s like having all the joys of parenthood without the pain.<\/p>

I will greet \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.. with love in my heart<\/p>

I will pick him up when he falls and soothe away any tears<\/p>

I will endeavour to answer the \u201cwhy\u201d<\/p>

Questions as he tries to make sense of his world<\/p>

I will rejoice in his achievements and<\/p>

Probably tell them to anyone prepared to listen to my pride<\/p>

While I have health and strength, I will do<\/p>

My utmost to ensure that no harm befalls \u2026\u2026,<\/p>

that he always knows that he is<\/p>

Loved and that he knows he can to me<\/p>

At any time for advice or consolatio<\/p>

5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WHEN CHILDREN COME<\/strong><\/h3>

When children come into our lives<\/p>

They bring a world of joys<\/p>

Laughter and discoveries, kisses, hugs and toys<\/p>

Each day brings new surprises, special wonders to explore<\/p>

When children come into our lives our world is new once more.<\/p>

6\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS<\/strong><\/h3>

Follow Your Dreams When others say “It’s hopeless and it really can’t be done.<\/p>

” When they tell you “It’s all over. It’s a race that can’t be won.”<\/p>

And they promise “You could spend your life just lying in the sun.”<\/p>

Follow your dreams boy. Follow your dreams!<\/p>

When the people you admire, but who wouldn’t understand,<\/p>

Tell you “Other roads are safer. Your dreams are much too grand.”<\/p>

Or the doubters and the tempters try to take you by the hand.<\/p>

Follow your dreams boy. Follow your dreams!<\/p>

You should listen to the counsel of the people that you trust.<\/p>

But don’t be turned aside just because they might get fussed<\/p>

You live the life that in your heart you know you really must.<\/p>

Follow your dreams boy. Follow your dreams!<\/p>

There is nothing you can’t conquer if you believe you can.<\/p>

No mountains you can’t straddle, no oceans you can’t span.<\/p>

Just conjure up a vision and set yourself a plan.<\/p>

Follow your dreams boy. Follow your dreams!<\/p>

7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>MY PARENTS\u2019 GARDEN<\/strong><\/h3>

My parents are planting a garden – a garden of the heart,<\/p>

They\u2019re planting all the good things to give my life its start.<\/p>

They\u2019ll turn me to the sunshine and encourage me to dream,<\/p>

Fostering and nurturing the seeds of selfesteem.<\/p>

And when the winds and rain come, they\u2019ll protect me well enough,<\/p>

But not too much, because they know I\u2019ll<\/p>

need to stand up strong and tough.<\/p>

Their constant good example will teach me right from wrong,<\/p>

Markers for my pathway to last a lifetime long.<\/p>

I am my parents\u2019 garden, I am their legacy,<\/p>

And I hope they\u2019ll always feel the love reflected back from me<\/p>

8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 BABY\u2019S NAMING DAY<\/strong><\/h3>

…bright as a flower<\/p>

Lovely child we welcome you<\/p>

Into our world, into our lives<\/p>

On this your special naming day.<\/p>

…happy little spirit.<\/p>

Smiling child we wish you joy<\/p>

and health and strength and love and peace<\/p>

On this your special naming day.<\/p>

…lively little girl\/boy<\/p>

Perfect child we send you our blessings<\/p>

For a long and happy life, energy and freedom<\/p>

On this your special naming day.<\/p>

…our love goes out to you precious child with eyes so wide<\/p>

Waving arms and dancing feet,<\/p>

And busy hands which hold so tight<\/p>

On this your special naming day.<\/p>

9\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 PARENT\u2019S LOVE<\/strong><\/h3>

A Parent’s love is something, that no one can explain<\/p>

It is made of deep devotion, and is sacrifice and pain<\/p>

It is endless and unselfish, and enduring, come what may<\/p>

For nothing can destroy it, or take that love away<\/p>

It is patient and forgiving, when all others are forsaking<\/p>

And it never fails or falters, even though the heart is breaking<\/p>

It believes beyond believing, when the world around condemns<\/p>

And it glows with all the beauty of the rarest, brightest gems<\/p>

It is far beyond defining, it defies all explanation<\/p>

And it still remains a secret, like the mysteries of creation<\/p>

A many splendored miracle, man cannot understand<\/p>

And special wondrous evidence, of life’s tender guiding hand<\/p>

10\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN\u2019T LOOKING<\/strong><\/h3>

When you thought I wasn\u2019t looking,<\/p>

I saw you hang my first picture on the refrigerator, and<\/p>

immediately I wanted to paint another one.<\/p>

When you thought I wasn\u2019t looking, I saw you<\/p>

feed a stray, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.<\/p>

When you thought I wasn\u2019t looking, I saw you<\/p>

make my favourite cake for me and I learned<\/p>

that the little things can be the special things in life.<\/p>

When you thought I wasn\u2019t looking, I saw you<\/p>

make a meal and take it to a friend who was<\/p>

sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.<\/p>

When you thought I wasn\u2019t looking, I saw you<\/p>

give some of your time and money to help<\/p>

people who had nothing and I learned that<\/p>

those who have something should give to those who don\u2019t.<\/p>

When you thought I wasn\u2019t looking, I saw you<\/p>

take care of our house and everyone in it and<\/p>

I learned we have to take care of what we are given.<\/p>

When you thought I wasn\u2019t looking, I saw<\/p>

how you handled your responsibilities, even<\/p>

when you didn\u2019t feel good and I learned that<\/p>

I would have to be responsible when I grow up.<\/p>

When you thought I wasn\u2019t looking, I saw<\/p>

tears come from your eyes and I learned that<\/p>

sometimes things hurt, but it\u2019s all right to cry.<\/p>

When you thought I wasn\u2019t looking, I saw that<\/p>

you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.<\/p>

When you thought I wasn\u2019t looking, I learned<\/p>

most of life\u2019s lessons that I need to know to<\/p>

be a good and productive person when I grow up.<\/p>

When you thought I wasn\u2019t looking, I looked<\/p>

at you and wanted to say, \u201cThanks for all<\/p>

the things I saw when you thought I wasn\u2019t looking.\u201d<\/p>

11\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>THROUGH BABY’S EYES<\/strong><\/h3>

I didn’t expect a brass band, with welcome mat unfurled<\/p>

To be on hand when I arrived in this confusing world<\/p>

Nor did I expect a Doctor to hold me by the feet<\/p>

Then quickly turn me upside down and spank me on the seat<\/p>

At first I wasn’t quite prepared for this enormous place<\/p>

Nor the funny characters that I would have to face<\/p>

But I soon learned to get my way by looking sweet and shy<\/p>

And when I wanted to be held to make a fuss and cry<\/p>

I’ve found it doesn’t take much difficulty or guile<\/p>

To wrap them round my finger – all I need to do is smile!<\/p>

12\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 MEDITATION ON THE UPBRINGING OF CHILDREN<\/strong><\/h3>

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn;<\/p>

If children live with hostility, they learn how to fight;<\/p>

If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy<\/p>

If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.<\/p>

If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient;<\/p>

If children live with encouragement, they<\/p>

learn to have confidence;<\/p>

If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate;<\/p>

If children live with fairness, they learn justice.<\/p>

If children live with security, they learn to have faith;<\/p>

If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves;<\/p>

If children live with love around them, they<\/p>

learn to give love to the world.<\/p>

13\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A CHILD TALKS<\/strong><\/h3>

Watch and wait and listen as I learn and grow<\/p>

Know when to let me have my way and when to tell me no!<\/p>

Help me when I need you but it’s<\/p>

OK to let me cry I’ll never learn to do things if I never get to try!<\/p>

Give me your time and not your treasures, read me a story or two<\/p>

And remember that being my parents<\/p>

Is the most special job to do.<\/p>

14\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 LIVELY LITTLE GIRL\/BOY<\/strong><\/h3>

Perfect child we send you our blessings<\/p>

For a long and happy life, energy and freedom<\/p>

On this your special naming day.<\/p>

…our love goes out to you precious child with eyes so wide<\/p>

Waving arms and dancing feet,<\/p>

And busy hands which hold so tight<\/p>

On this your special naming day.<\/p>

15\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 BABIES ARE ANGELS<\/strong><\/h3>

Babies are angels that fly to the earth<\/p>

Their wings disappear at the time of their birth<\/p>

One look in their eyes and we’re never the same<\/p>

They’re part of us now and that part has a name<\/p>

That part is your heart and a bond that won’t sever<\/p>

Our babies are angels, we love them forever<\/p>

16\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 SHE’S YOUR BRAND NEW LITTLE DAUGHTER<\/strong><\/h3>

She’s your brand new little daughter,<\/p>

So enchanted, sweet and smart<\/p>

With a coo, she’ll have you smiling<\/p>

With a laugh she’ll own your heart<\/p>

It’s the time for hugs and kisses,<\/p>

Reassurance when she cries<\/p>

It’s the time for making moments<\/p>

Full of love and lullabies<\/p>

For these golden days of childhood<\/p>

Come and go so very fast<\/p>

Hold her tight and love her dearly<\/p>

Make these precious moments last<\/p>

17\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 CELTIC BLESSING<\/strong><\/h3>

May the strength of the wind and the light of the sun,<\/p>

The softness of the rain and the mystery of the moon<\/p>

Reach you and fill you.<\/p>

May beauty delight you and happiness uplift you,<\/p>

May wonder fulfil you and love surround you,<\/p>

May your step be ready and your arm be strong,<\/p>

May your heart be peaceful and your word be true.<\/p>

May you seek to learn, may you learn to live,<\/p>

May you seek to love, and may you love always.<\/p>

18\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 LITTLE CHILD<\/strong><\/h3>

Little miracle child, born out of love into love<\/p>

I give you the world, at your feet, in your hands<\/p>

Spinning in colours like the kaleidoscope of your eyes<\/p>

A world of wonders, dreams and distant lands.<\/p>

Little child, whose smile warms a room like sudden sunshine<\/p>

Take this world and climb the mountains with your head held high<\/p>

Walk tall on the peaks in the dazzle of crisp new snow<\/p>

Look down at the valleys but aim for the sky.<\/p>

Little child, take this world and bravely sail its stormy seas<\/p>

Captain a ship that\u2019s strong, with a map and compass of your own<\/p>

Choose a crew with care to fight the monsters of the deep<\/p>

And keep your anchor ready for a haven you can call home.<\/p>

Little child, round-bottomed soft skinned and chubby limbed<\/p>

And tiny hands that touch everything with wonder<\/p>

Make peace your mission and treat this world with gentleness.<\/p>

Little child, this world is yours, a gift from those already older<\/p>

And as you grow and your steps are stronger, bolder<\/p>

And when our days fade, are darker, colder<\/p>

May you too find a love that\u2019s bright and free<\/p>

And hold your own child on your knee.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/h1>

19\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 MOTHER OF TWINS POEM<\/strong><\/h3>

There\u2019s two to wash, there\u2019s two to dry;<\/p>

There\u2019s two who argue, there\u2019s two who cry.<\/p>

One\u2019s in the mud, having a ball;<\/p>

The other holds a crayon\u2026another marked wall.<\/p>

Some days seem endless, my patience grows thin.<\/p>

Why was I chosen to be a mother of twins?<\/p>

The answer comes clear \u2013 at the end of the day,<\/p>

As I tuck them in bed and myself I say\u2026<\/p>

There\u2019s two to kiss, there\u2019s two to hug;<\/p>

And best of all, there\u2019s two to love.<\/p>

20\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 POEM FOR A CHILD BY VICTORIA FIELD<\/strong><\/h3>

Little miracle child, born out of love into love,<\/p>

I give you the world, at your feet, in your hands<\/p>

Spinning in colours like the kaleidoscope of your eyes<\/p>

A world of wonders, dreams and distant lands.<\/p>

Little child, whose smile warms a room like sudden sunshine<\/p>

Take this world and climb the mountains with your head held high<\/p>

Walk tall on the peaks in the dazzle of crisp new snow<\/p>

Look down at the valleys but aim for the sky.<\/p>

Little child, take this world and bravely sail its stormy seas<\/p>

Captain a ship that\u2019s strong, with a map and compass of your own ,<\/p>

Choose a crew with care to fight the monsters of the deep<\/p>

And keep your anchor ready for a haven you can call home.<\/p>

Little child, round bottomed, soft skinned and chubby limbed<\/p>

With lips that melt petal soft in the caress of your mothers breast<\/p>

And tiny hands that touch everything with wonder<\/p>

Make peace your mission and treat this world with gentleness.<\/p>

21\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 MOON ON YOUR PYJAMAS<\/strong><\/h3>

Was that a shooting star I saw<\/p>

It\u2019s rare for me to make a wish at all<\/p>

Because I feel that I can only hope<\/p>

These dangerous times , we are barely afloat.<\/p>

And I hope the world will heal itself<\/p>

And our worn out souls along with it<\/p>

So that you will get a chance to say<\/p>

That you have seen a better day.<\/p>

You\u2019ve got the moon on your pyjamas<\/p>

And the stars in your eyes<\/p>

Sweet child you\u2019re a dream in disguise<\/p>

Angels on silver strings hang from above<\/p>

Let love and laughter shine where ever you go.<\/p>

Through your eyes I\u2019ve come to see<\/p>

How beautiful my life can be<\/p>

And I\u2019ll keep this wish, this time, I think<\/p>

And blow it in with a kiss upon your head<\/p>

And I hope the world will heal itself<\/p>

And the worn out souls along with it<\/p>

So that you will get a chance to see<\/p>

A summer\u2019s blue sky behind the green trees.<\/p>

You\u2019ve got the moon on your pyjamas<\/p>

And the stars in your eyes<\/p>

Sweet child you\u2019re a dream in disguise<\/p>

Angels on silver strings hang from above<\/p>

Let love and laughter shine wherever you go<\/p>

22\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY<\/strong><\/h3>

I want you to be happy. I want you to fill your<\/p>

heart with feelings of wonder and to be full of courage and hope.<\/p>

I want you to be full of friendship that is<\/p>

a treasure – and the kind of love that is<\/p>

beautiful forever. I wish you contentment: the<\/p>

sweet, quiet, inner kind that comes around and never goes away.<\/p>

I want you to have hopes and have them all come true.<\/p>

I want you to make the most of this moment in time.<\/p>

I want you to have a real understanding of how unique and rare you truly are.<\/p>

I want to remind you that the sun may disappear for a while, but it never forgets to shine.<\/p>

I want you to have faith. May you have feelings that are shared from heart to heart, simple pleasures amidst this complex world, and wonderful goals that are within your grasp.<\/p>

May the words you listen to say the things you need<\/p>

to hear. And may a cheerful face lovingly look back at you when you happen to glance in your mirror.<\/p>

I wish you the insight to see your inner and outer beauty.<\/p>

I wish you sweet dreams. I want you to have times when you feel like singing and dancing and laughing out loud.<\/p>

I want you to be able to make your good times better and your hard times easier<\/p>

to handle. I want you to have millions of moments when you find satisfaction in the<\/p>

things you do so wonderfully. And I wish I could find a way to tell you – in untold ways – how important you are to me.<\/p>

Of all the things I\u2019ll be wishing for, wherever you are and whatever I may do, there will<\/p>

never be a day in my life when I won\u2019t be<\/p>

wishing the best\u2026for you.<\/p>

23 WISHES ON YOUR NAMING DAY <\/strong><\/h3>

I wish you such a happy life<\/p>

That\u2019s jam-packed full of fun<\/p>

Adventures, friendships, laughter, love<\/p>

And picnics in the sun<\/p>

I wish you a courageous life<\/p>

With no dreams left untried<\/p>

So that, whichever path you take<\/p>

You\u2019ll always walk with pride<\/p>

I wish you an accomplished life<\/p>

That celebrates your wins<\/p>

But let you know the equal joy<\/p>

Of simply joining in.<\/p>

But most of all, I wish for you<\/p>

The life that you will choose<\/p>

Your name is given, but who you\u2019ll be<\/p>

Is completely down to you.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1       A MOTHERS WISH I hope my child looks back on today And sees a parent who had time to play There will be years for cleaning and cooking But children grow up when you\u2019re not looking So settle down, cobwebs, dust, go to sleep I\u2019m cuddling my baby, and babies don\u2019t keep 2       EXAMPLE […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1877,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1876","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ceremonies"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.argyll-bute.gov.uk\/marriage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1876","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.argyll-bute.gov.uk\/marriage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.argyll-bute.gov.uk\/marriage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.argyll-bute.gov.uk\/marriage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.argyll-bute.gov.uk\/marriage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1876"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.argyll-bute.gov.uk\/marriage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1876\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1886,"href":"https:\/\/www.argyll-bute.gov.uk\/marriage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1876\/revisions\/1886"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.argyll-bute.gov.uk\/marriage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1877"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.argyll-bute.gov.uk\/marriage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.argyll-bute.gov.uk\/marriage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1876"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.argyll-bute.gov.uk\/marriage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}