So I’ve just been asked to do a reading at a christening. I need to find something suitable that isn’t too religious, but the only poem I know about kids & parents is Larkin’s ”This be The Verse” which probably isn’t entirely appropriate.

Anyone got any recommendations?

What, they’ve asked you to do a reading AND find one to do yourself??

Lazy arses 🙂

Is the christening a religious do or not?

A bit of Harry Potter normally goes down well with the kids in the library group. I don’t think they are too religious

Yeah one side of the family is quite religious, but I’ve been told I don’t need to follow suit.

christening

If it ain’t religious, it shouldn’t be called a “christening” tbh.

Actually you don’t find christenings in the Bible anyway, it started in the 5/6th century. There is baptisms but only as an adult when you can make your own decision about things. There are baby dedications but that is a more informal affair with a couple of prayers, in our church done on a normal sunday morning service with the notices (takes about 10 mins).
Anyway, it’s not a bad thing to do though, and a great celebration of a new life, no reason why anyone can’t join in and read what they feel is appropriate.
If they’ve asked you to do a reading then they obviously feel like you’ll be able to choose something nice.

My wife did a reading at our niece’s naming day – A children’s book based on(well lifted entirely from) Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” – just right amount of emotion, wisdom and guidance. Without all that guff about god.

It’s called Forever Young…

Here you go:

She’s got a smile that it seems to me
Reminds me of childhood memories
Where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky
Now and then when I see her face
She takes me away to that special place
And if I stayed too long
I’d probably break down and cry

Oh, sweet child o’ mine
Oh, sweet love of mine

She’s got eyes of the bluest skies
As if they thought of rain
I hate to look into those eyes
And see an ounce of pain
Her hair reminds me of a warm safe place
Where as a child I’d hide
And pray for the thunder and the rain
To quietly pass me by

Oh, sweet child o’ mine
Oh, sweet love of mine

I’m not being sarcastic – that’s actually really nice when you read it out!! Add the whiny screaming voice and guitars and its a bit different though…

I’m not being sarcastic – that’s actually really nice when you read it out!! Add the whiny screaming voice and guitars and its a bit different though…

Haha.. i think you may be right!

If that’s the case.. feel free to use this one for funerals..

Take me down
To the Paradise City
Where the grass is green
And the girls are pretty
Oh, won’t you please take me home

How about Kahlil Gibran:

http://www.katsandogz.com/onchildren.html

Getting warmer thanks orangina – certainly a step up on Axl Rose (what next, Johnny Mathis?)

What about Psalm 23-4…

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’ sake.
——–
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.
——–
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.

Preferably read in a loud voice like an American Evangelical Preacher…if you can ask them to turn out the lights and shine a torch in your face it’ll have more impact.