February 24, 2013, 10:00 AM
Today, Chris, Leslie and Naomi Chin along with grandparents, godparents and family members present Zoe Isabel Chin born on October 5, 2012 to be dedicated to the Lord.
Keeping promises is always challenging. We learn about how important keeping a secret promise is, is when we inadvertently reveal the secret. At the altar in front of many family and friends, we make marriage vows so that everyone present would hold us to the promises we made. It’s just like putting it on Facebook—everyone knows! When two people love each other so much that they promise to each other that they will bring a baby into the world, it’s a huge promise, and I’m afraid to say to you that this promise is one that will last you a lifetime! It’s a lot more than a little pinky promise.
In the Greek, “Zoe” means “life” and in the Hebrew, “Isabel” means “God’s promises.” Combining “Zoe Isabel” together, it means “God’s promises of life.”
We read in the Old Testament that God promised Abraham and Sarah when they were already old that they would have many descendants and God’s people will come from them. Because of their faithfulness, God promised Abraham that his descendants would be “as many as the stars of heaven and as innumerable grains of sand by the seashore” (Heb. 11:12). While we as human beings may disappoint God and one another by breaking our promises when lying, in 1 Titus 1:2, the Apostle Paul writes, “in the hope of eternal life that God, who never lies, promised before the ages began” in due time revealed Jesus Christ our Savior.
A baby dedication in the life of a church is a significant event. Not only does the parents, grandparents, and relatives all promise to raise this child to be a follower of Jesus, we make our promises that we would help make this happen too. But the significance is even greater than this. Every time we see Zoe Isabel, we will see “God’s promises of life.” As Zoe grows older and bigger every day, she shows God’s promises of the miracle of the human body. When she gets entangle with her older sister Naomi, she is becoming of age that God planned for her. When Zoe surprises you with new words or thoughts or actions, you will begin to see the “promises of life” that God has given to her before the ages began.
We know that Zoe’s father is such a Giants fanatic that he saw a playoff game on the day that Zoe was born! While technically, the Giants have at least won one World Series title during their children’s lifetime already, they won’t remember this. You as parents will need to remind them by showing them newspapers clippings and all of the Giants gear that you have and teach them to believe in the promise that the Giants can win again.
If we go by first names, Zoe will always be listed last. But Jesus promised that, “The first will be last and the last will be first.” Jesus also promised, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). In God’s eyes, Zoe along with her sister, Naomi and truthfully, all of God’s people will be first to enter God’s wonderful kingdom because of God’s mercy and grace. God promised that.
Ritual
To the Parents:
In presenting Zoe Isabel 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 loving church family of this child and 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 Zoe, “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, Zoe Isabel Chin 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, her parents, and ourselves, to the end that her life may be a blessing to you and a service to humanity. Amen.