For the Birth of a Child

*The Celebrant addresses the congregation in these or similar words*

Dear Friends:  The birth of a child is a joyous and solemn 
occasion in the life of a family.  It is also an occasion for 
rejoicing in the Christian community.  I bid you, therefore, 
to join &N. [and &N.] in giving thanks to Almighty God our 
heavenly Father, the Lord of all life, for the gift of &N. to be 
their son (daughter) [and with &N. (and &N. &N..), for a new 
brother (sister)].  Let us say together:

*The service continues with the Magnificat or one of the Psalms on pages 
441-443.*


For an Adoption

*The Celebrant addresses the congregation in these or similar words*

Dear Friends:  It has pleased God our heavenly Father to 
answer the earnest prayers of &N. [and &N.], member(s) of this 
Christian family, for the gift of a child.  I bid you join with 
them [and with &N. (and &N. &N..), who now has a new brother 
(sister)] in offering heartfelt thanks for the joyful and solemn 
responsibility which is theirs by the coming of &N. to be a 
member of their family.  But first, our friends wish us, here 
assembled, to witness the inauguration of this new 
relationship.

The Celebrant asks the parent or parents

&N. [and &N.], do you take this child for your own? 

*Parent(s)*  I do.