The world is a living classroom that lends itself to real life discoveries. From music, art, languages, clothing, food, traditions and folklore, our world is filled with cultural richness. Each member of our family is a life-long student of culture; one of the many reasons we all enjoy traveling and making real-life discoveries. However, right here in our Dallas Fort Worth metropolis we are fortunate to have a richness of culture like no other. It’s a richness that connects us together confirming our relationship as members of the human race.
One such connection and relationship is the tradition of naming ceremonies. Many cultures around the world consider naming ceremonies as a milestone celebration. In fact, the Jewish culture believes that the name given to a child is paramount to the child’s development and destiny. Jewish babies are given Hebrew names after they are born. These names often have significance to the family. A naming ceremony is conducted to confer the Hebrew name on the baby. Each Jewish naming ceremony I attended was a unique opportunity in cultural richness.
The tradition of naming ceremonies is also celebrated in the African culture. In similar fashion as the Jewish culture, African culture believes that a child’s name is essential to his or her spiritual destiny. In recognition of this importance, a naming ceremony is held either on the seventh or eighth day after a baby is born. It is typically done early in the morning at the home of the child. The parents, elders, siblings, family, pastors and friends gather to celebrate naming the child. Though I have attended many African naming ceremonies including each of our three daughters, there is always something to glean from the given names.
Recently, my husband and I had the honor of celebrating the naming ceremony of one of our precious Nigerian families here in the DFW area. The morning began with songs of thanksgiving and worship to God; followed by the order of service officiated by my husband. Each name given by the family was pronounced and conferred on the baby. One of the baby’s names that lingered in my spirit as my husband prayed over the baby was: Oluwademilade. The name bore witness in my spirit. The name means: God has crowned me. These precious parents recognized God’s hand not only on their baby but their lives as a whole. Such power in the name they selected for their baby son. It is the beginning of the great things God has in store for their family! Love and Blessings All!
"Precious moments are like jewels, they add sparkle to our lives." ~ Unknown
One such connection and relationship is the tradition of naming ceremonies. Many cultures around the world consider naming ceremonies as a milestone celebration. In fact, the Jewish culture believes that the name given to a child is paramount to the child’s development and destiny. Jewish babies are given Hebrew names after they are born. These names often have significance to the family. A naming ceremony is conducted to confer the Hebrew name on the baby. Each Jewish naming ceremony I attended was a unique opportunity in cultural richness.
The tradition of naming ceremonies is also celebrated in the African culture. In similar fashion as the Jewish culture, African culture believes that a child’s name is essential to his or her spiritual destiny. In recognition of this importance, a naming ceremony is held either on the seventh or eighth day after a baby is born. It is typically done early in the morning at the home of the child. The parents, elders, siblings, family, pastors and friends gather to celebrate naming the child. Though I have attended many African naming ceremonies including each of our three daughters, there is always something to glean from the given names.
Recently, my husband and I had the honor of celebrating the naming ceremony of one of our precious Nigerian families here in the DFW area. The morning began with songs of thanksgiving and worship to God; followed by the order of service officiated by my husband. Each name given by the family was pronounced and conferred on the baby. One of the baby’s names that lingered in my spirit as my husband prayed over the baby was: Oluwademilade. The name bore witness in my spirit. The name means: God has crowned me. These precious parents recognized God’s hand not only on their baby but their lives as a whole. Such power in the name they selected for their baby son. It is the beginning of the great things God has in store for their family! Love and Blessings All!
"Precious moments are like jewels, they add sparkle to our lives." ~ Unknown
RSS Feed