Blessingway ceremonies have been around for a long time originating from Native American tradition. There are different variations, but the one I hosted for my sister Angela was a gathering of family members in town to surround her in prayer and loving support. When I shared about this on instagram, I received so many questions that I thought I would put everything into a post for you!
“Just as a tree grows best when anchored firmly in the earth, so can a pregnant mother feel strong and capable when supported by a sisterhood of nurturing friends.” – April Lussier
This was the general outline of the Blessingway:
- Each person takes a votive candle and lights it before beginning. An opening prayer is read followed by 10 empowering scriptures. A rose is given to the mother to be for each scripture.
- The votive candle is taken home by each person who attends the Blessingway. When the mother goes into labor, a notification is sent out and everyone lights their candle in prayer and unity for her and her baby.
- Each person writes a personal note during the Blessingway on a notecard for the mother to take home and read. You can have each person add a bead to a chain as they give her the note for the mother to have a visual of all of her friends and family who are supporting her in birth.
- A Blessingway is in place of a baby shower, but you can have the option of gifts. Everyone brought essentials she needed re-stocking on since this was baby #4. She opened the gifts towards the end.
Drinks and appetizers were served at the beginning, and time spent together was life giving for all!
These are the scriptures we read, as a family member gave her a rose for each verse. ( DOWNLOAD HERE) I used these votive candles and just wrapped ribbon around them for each person to take home.
Opening or closing prayer:
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” Colossians 1:9-12
Let me know if you have any questions!
