|
|
A SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING OVER THE BIRTH OF A CHILD
**This Service, being of a personal and private nature,
will not usually be attended by a congregation.
**The Minister, preferably a woman, meeting the mother
in the Church at the appointed time, will say:
LET US PRAY
OUR FATHER, Who art in Heaven, all hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done on Earth as it is
in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive
us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass
against us. When in temptation Thy love sustains us,
and deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom,
the Power and the Glory. For ever and for ever. Amen.
O
LOVING FATHER, we come in thankfulness, to show by
our presence in this Sanctuary, our gratitude for this
woman's safe delivery; and we ask Thee to bless her
and her child.
My sister, you have come to render thanks to God and
His Spirit World for the protection which has been
vouchsafed unto you. Be very sure that in rendering
thanks thus openly you bring upon yourself and your
little one a spiritual blessing. Remember how significant
and symbolic is the birth of the physical body, signifying
a picture of that new birth from Earth to Heaven. Give
thanks, and humbly glorify your Creator, in so honouring
you to be a co-partner with Him in this great miracle
of physical birth. You will remember that our Lord
showed special understanding of a woman's lot, and
that He openly showed His compassion to her. He referred
to a woman when she was in travail having sorrow because
her hour was come. He then added: But as soon as she
is delivered of a child she remembereth no more the
anguish, and you, dear Sister, know that this is true.
Remember for your comfort the thanksgiving given by
Mary, the young mother of the Christ-Child, and let
this Song of Praise echo in your heart:
ST. LUKE 1, 46.
MY SOUL doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced
in God my Saviour.
For He hath regarded the lowliness of His hand-maiden.
For behold from henceforth all generations shall call
me blessed.
For He that is mighty hath magnified me, and holy is
His Name.
**Then follows the personal prayer of the mother, she
repeating the same after the Minister:
O
LOVING SAVIOUR, because Thou wast born in a human
way, of a human mother, I come to Thee with a grateful,
happy heart, to thank Thee; and to ask Thee ever to
be near the little one whom I have been preserved to
bring to birth. Accept the offering of my heart, my
humble gift of love, and grant that Thou wilt walk
close to me and my child - Thou Who didst walk so obediently
beside Thy mother. With thoughts of Mary and her love,
I give my thanks for the priceless gift Thou hast given
to me. Amen.
MINISTER
GOD, Thou art my Lord, early will I seek Thee, because
Thy loving kindness is better than life. I will remember
Thee because Thou hast been my help. In Thee, O Lord,
do I put my trust, let me never be ashamed. Be Thou
as a strong rock, even as a house of defence; and for
Thy Name's sake, lead me and guide me. Amen.
Let us pray for all women labouring in child-birth,
especially those in far-off lands, where there is no
medical skill to help them, and the dangers of child-birth
are so much greater.
GOD, our Father, Who lovest all Thy children equally,
we ask for special help for the many suffering women
in the less civilised parts of the Earth. May Thy love
shine upon them in such measure that, even if they
have never heard of the compassionate Christ, they
may feel some comfort permeating their being. We ask
that the Angel Messengers may be given such power that
something of relief may be granted to these helpless,
suffering women. Inspire the hearts of the heedless
and the selfish to realise their great responsibilities
regarding those who stand in such dire need of medical
experience. May the protective power of the Unseen
Healers be so built up around them that the travail
of the women may be lessened, and the safe birth of
their children be assured. Amen.
**The Minister will then give this blessing:
Blessing and peace go with you unto your home, and those
you love, to guard and cherish the precious gift of
God entrusted to your care. Fear not the task, and
doubt not the coming of the help you need, but join
with Mary who also gave thanks, and with her magnify
the Lord.
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
keep your heart and mind in the knowledge and love
of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the
blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit, be with you and remain with you always.
Amen.
A PRAYER OF CONSOLATION FOR MOTHERS WHO LOSE THEIR
LITTLE ONES IN CHILDBIRTH.
COMPASSIONATE Saviour, who knowest the anguish and desolation
of this woman's heart, we thank Thee that she has been
preserved in body and mind. Help her to realise that
in the World of Spirit her child lives on, and will
forever remain her gift from God. Grant that her regret
may never be tinged with bitterness, and that she may
realise that it is only the materialism of the Earth
which prevents her from seeing her child, and sharing
more fully in its life and interests. May Thy guidance
ever be given, so that her child may look to her as
an example of a life well lived, responding eagerly
to her Mother-love, as she responds to Thy Holy Will.
If, in the fullness of time, she receives the gift
of another child, may she ever remember the little
soul in Spirit Life, realising that as sleep claims
her physical body she can be with that child, helping
in its unfoldment and welfare. We know that through
Thy Divine mercy her little one will return to the
earthly home, acting as an angel of peace, and bringing
love and joy into those conditions. For all Thy mercy
in our times of trouble, we thank Thee, with a grateful
heart. Amen.
| |
