July 25, 2010
Today is a special day in the life of our church and especially in the life of Naomi Hannah Chin. While merely 3 months old born on April 28, 2010, Naomi will not remember anything that is happening today. But her parents, Chris and Leslie Chin, her grandparents, uncles and aunties, godparents, friends and all the people of this church will remember for her so that throughout her growing up years, she will know that her parents are dedicating her in the name of the Lord.
Chris and Leslie have chosen the name, Naomi Hannah because of the special meaning these names have. The name Naomi has both Hebrew and Japanese meanings—both indicating that Naomi means “beautiful.”
It is said that, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” This means that everyone has a different opinion on what is true beauty. One person may find a rose beautiful but another person could be repulsed by it. If you have ever watched a beauty pageant, you can find yourself arguing with the judges’ decision on who shall be crowned the winner.
When someone has lived a good and decent life, we might say, “She lived a beautiful life.” When the infielders turn a double play, we might say, “That was a beautiful play!” When we might be out in the wonders of God’s creation, our breath is taken away and we simply exclaim, “This is beautiful!” When we see different things in life, it may be beautiful to one person and yet for another, it may not. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we say.
When Chris and Leslie hold Naomi in their arms, they see how beautiful she is. But this is not necessarily from the eye of the beholder. When any of us see Naomi and for that matter any child, we see how beautiful a baby is. A baby is beautiful because on the bottom of her foot, it says, “Made by God.”
One of my favorite Disney movies is Beauty and the Beast. I like to sing the songs and especially when Beauty and the Beast are outside throwing snowballs at each other and they begin to notice how much care and love they have for one another. We all know that the Disney artists drew Beauty to be beautiful but it’s the beauty that Beauty sees beyond or underneath the ugliness of the beast that ultimately transformed the Beast to become a handsome prince once more. Beauty was able to see the beauty in the Beast—the eye of the beholder.
Chris and Leslie, you have aptly named your daughter for being a humble servant that you pray that she will be. With the name, Naomi Hannah, she will see the beauty in this world that is badly in need to believe that life is good and worth living. In her namesake, she will show how beautiful everything truly is and thank God for his grace and favor that gives life true meaning and beauty.
I am not surprised that Naomi likes to watch TV already. You think that since Leslie watched a lot of TV before Naomi was born, she became a TV enthusiast in the womb. Wherever you might be holding her, she knows how to turn her head and eyes to the TV. Just as you like to watch Grey’s Anatomy or the Giants/Dodgers games; Naomi likes to watch too and sees beauty in the TV. Maybe it’s time to show her the movie, Beauty and the Beast.
There’s a verse from Romans 10:15 that signifies Naomi Hannah for me and hopefully for you—“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” Naomi is a beautiful baby because on the bottom of her foot, it says, “Made by God.” Wherever God will lead her in life and when she discovers God’s unique plan for her, she will have beautiful feet because she will know the good news of Jesus Christ as the result of the commitments and promises that you make here today.
When Jesus was old enough, his parents brought him to the temple for purification. In our Chinese American culture and Christian community, we introduce a new baby into the world a number of times. First, the parents (and grandparents) show pictures of their newborn right after delivery. We have a red egg and ginger party. We have a baby dedication worship service like today. In each of these occasions, the baby is unaware of what’s going on. For pastors, we just hope that the baby doesn’t cry.
But the real reason why we introduce children into the world is to hear the promises and commitments from the parents, the family members and all of their friends that they will bring this child up in the teachings of Christ. Just as Mary and Joseph provided the right kind of family life to prepare Jesus for his God-given work, you as parents have this sacred responsibility too.
In the life of the church and especially here at FCBC, we have a responsibility too. No longer is this child just a new baby for these parents but today we know her by her given name, Naomi Hannah Chin. From this day forward, we will pray for her to grow up, mature in faith in God by providing her with nurture, instruction, and love that comes from God. When we make our commitments, we make them seriously and with the help of God, we will help fulfill God’s plan for this child’s life and purpose in the world.
Ritual
To the Parents:
In presenting Naomi Hannah Chin to God, do you promise that through the grace given you and in partnership with this church, you will teach her the truths and responsibilities of the Christian faith, and seek to lead her into a living relationship with Jesus Christ?
Parents: We will.
To the Congregation:
Do you, the members and friends of this church, accept the responsibility, together with the parents, grandparents, godparents, aunts and uncles, to teach this child that she may be brought to full maturity in Jesus Christ? If so, will you signify your acceptance by saying, “We will.”
Congregation: We will.
Don holds Naomi, “God bless you and keep you. God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you. God look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.”
Presentation of Certificates and Roses
This certificate will remind you of the commitments you made here today. This rose, a universal symbol of beauty and God’s wondrous creation represents your child made in the image of God himself.
Closing Prayer
Dear God, even as Mary and Joseph brought the child Jesus to your house that he might be consecrated to your service, so these parents have brought this little one to this house of worship, that among your people they might present her to you. Give to these parents your special graces of insight and love that under their guidance, Naomi may grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with you and all people. Grant that we your people may truly be a household of faith to this child, providing her with food for the spirit to nourish her through the years of growth and maturity. With gratitude for this child we dedicate her, their parents, and ourselves, to the end that her life may be a blessing to you and a service to humanity. Amen.