Welcome to the world!

The stories of our birth are important and wonderful stories. They tell us of our welcome to the world, to our families and to the family of God. Research tells us that the more loving adults that a child is surrounded by the more assets they have as they grow. Each child can watch how different adults solve problems, and craft live of love and meaning in a complex world. The community of the Church can show a child many ways to live lives as followers of Christ. The abilities and calling that God has given our child may be very different from our own. The wonder of the community of the Church is that there are others they who can model and guide our children in ways we cannot. 

Book
God Gave Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Activity
Take out the baby pictures! Tell the story of your child’s birth and of siblings, cousins, parents and grandparents. Spend some time talking about all the people that love them and were excited to welcome them to the world. As you look at pictures of other’s as infants, point out all the people who welcomed them to the world as well. Be sure to include people beyond your family, friends, neighbors and members of your community of faith.  It is a wonderful way to help children know that they were and are loved by many.
Prayer
Thank you God for the people who welcomed me, _________________.
Help me to welcome others (especially – you can include new babies, new friends or new neighbors)
Thank you for all those people who love me and who I love __________________.
Say the Lord’s prayer.
Amen.