Baptism at the Neonatal Department

God, you see how weak and vulnerable our child is.

You see how powerless and scared we are,

and we don't understand anything.

Therefore, we ask you:

Put an angel guard around our child,

and give us a belief that no matter how it goes, he/she is in your hands.

Be with us and give us courage to be strong and courage to be weak.

And give us faith that we all,

both in life and in death, are together in and surrounded by your love.

Amen.

Melody: Command Your Ways

In the darkness you were rocked,

where it was warm and safe,

in the light forth you appeared,

where loneliness and fear

are hidden travel companions

the day you grow into,

if no power appears,

as believe you will follow.

Now you are carried to baptism,

there is only a little sight –

we believe, however, that the weapon of light

from this day is yours.

It does not remove dangers,

does not turn night into day;

but the God of life keeps

in you His secure hold.

Every child whose hair was soaked

by the water of God's hand,

and who was chained to him

with the Spirit of love,

he will hereafter call,

"my indispensability."

That child can never fall

out of his love.

Out of darkness the world was created,

and darkness threatens it.

It obscures our movements

– where are we going?

A candle, a dawn,

was lit when we were baptized.

So, whatever we have to face,

we are wrapped in the light.

Frank Kærgaard 1991

Hospital chaplain Majbritt Grund Kristensen can always be contacted after the baptism.

The staff at the Neonatal Department can also help you get in touch with your own parish priest or the priest who baptized your baby.