Remembrance Sunday//A tale of gratitude

Remembrance Sunday and the Joy of Baby Uriel’s Dedication

Today is a day I will not forget in a hurry. Being Remembrance Sunday already carried its own weight of reflection, gratitude, and reverence, but it became even more special because it was also the day we witnessed the dedication of a beautiful child. The church atmosphere had two layers one of the normal Sunday service and another of pure celebration as a new life was presented to God. Somehow, both blended so well that the day became a complete circle of memory and hope.

Child dedication, or what some Christian brethren call baby christening, is a ritual that has deep meaning in our faith. It is not just a routine; it is a sacred moment when parents stand before God and the congregation to say, “This child is not ours alone, but God’s gift, and we are returning him to God for guidance and protection.” It is also a public declaration that the family will raise the child in the fear and knowledge of God. Over the years, I have attended a number of child dedications, but this one stood out for me in ways that I’ll explain.

The family that brought their child forward today did so with so much joy, and the atmosphere in the church reflected that joy. It felt almost like heaven was smiling down as songs were raised, hands were lifted, and people danced. From the first moment, you could sense that this wasn’t going to be just another Sunday service it was a family’s thanksgiving wrapped in the larger worship of the church.

The father of the child, is a social and lively person, brought his energy into the days celebration He danced with all the vibes you can imagine, moving without reservation, full of joy that was contagious to everyone around him. Watching him, you could tell that he was grateful not just for the life of his son but also for the privilege of dedicating him to God. His joy was extended to the congregation and as it should be people joined in dancing in a way of saying the child is theirs too
But the the mother of the child carried herself with calm dignity. She didn’t move with the same energy as her husband, but cool and composed tho people said she was maybe a shy type but to me Sometimes, it is not how loud the joy is that matters but the depth of it, I could see that in her eyes. She might not have danced the way her husband did, but her heart was full of gratitude to God

One of the most beautiful things I noticed was the support from family. The aunties, the grandfather, the uncles all came together, united and celebration for the child. It showed me that while the parents are entrusted with raising a child, the larger family also plays a role. A child dedicated to God is also surrounded by the love, prayers, and guidance of the community, and that was exactly what happened today. The family didn’t just stand there as spectators; they were actively part of the thanksgiving, giving thanks to God for the gift of new life.

When the officiating minister came forward to bless the child, the church cooperated and stood on their feets There is something powerful about that moment when a minister stretches hands and speaks words of prayer over a child’s life. To me It spiritual covering, declaration of future blessings, and a call for God’s guidance for the child Baby Uriel, as he was named, was lifted and prayed upon and the words spoken became more than just sound they were seeds sown into his life.

The scripture that took today’s dedication was from Psalm 127:3, which says: “Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” This verse reminded us all that every child is God’s gift. Parents only carry the responsibility of raising them, but definitely children belong to God. Baby Uriel’s dedication was a real acknowledgment of this truth a declaration that his life is a reward, a blessing, to be nurtured under God’s care.

The name itself, Uriel, carries deep meaning. From my research it is taken from the Hebrews, it means “God is my light” or “Fire of God

What astonished me most was the atmosphere of thanksgiving. We live in a world where people sometimes forget to give thanks, focusing only on their needs and challenges. But today, this family reminded us all that thanksgiving is a crucial part of worship. Their joy in dedicating Uriel was not just theirs; it became a lesson for the rest of us that we should always pause to thank God, not only for big achievements but even for the gift of life itself.

The dancing, laughter, prayers, and the words of blessing all came together and paint a beautiful picture of what it means to belong to a faith community. It wasn’t About the clothes or gifts it was about unity, love, and gratitude to God.

I left the service with a grateful heart, grateful for the experience. Baby Uriel may not understand what happened today, but as he grows he will grow to know that from the very beginning, his life was surrounded by love, joy, and prayers. And I believe that the God who is light will continue to guide him every step of the way.

My Prayer for Baby Uriel

I pray that the good Lord bless Uriel and keep him.
May his life be a testimony of God’s light and fire.
May he grow in wisdom, strength, and grace, most importantly walking in the fear of God.
And may he always know that he is a heritage of the Lord and a reward to his family.
Amen.