A Christian Bar Mitzvah - Marking Transition to Adulthood
Every culture has always marked boys' (and usually girls') transition to adulthood. Their training progresses and is marked by ceremony. Why is there nothing left in our Western culture? Even the 21st party is largely irrelevant as no special meaning is associated with that age anymore.Author and speaker Craig Hill compares rites of passage and marriage. If one asks a married couple "Are you married?" they obviously answer, "Yes". How do they know? - because they had a wedding ceremony, and (usually) they remember the date. From that date they knew they were man and wife. Compare this to a couple who are just living together. "The wedding brings an emotional closure to single life and an absolute internal assurance that one is now married", states Hill. Similarly, ceremonial blessing at puberty brings emotional closure to childhood and a release and confidence regarding one's own manhood or womanhood. Without this closure there can be a lingering feeling of childhood. This feeling is not logical and does not go away with age.
Presumably Jesus had a Bar Mitzvah, but he also received His Father's blessing when he was baptised in the River Jordan. "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased" Luke 3:22. Note that Jesus did no miracles or ministry before this blessing. Today, some Christians are choosing to model a ceremony on the Jewish Bar Mitzvah, so what is that?
|
Key Principle: Differentiate between your son's/daughter's IDENTITY
and their BEHAVIOUR. You can affirm their identity even if their
behaviour needs improvement.
|
Bar Mitzvah (boys) - ceremony at age 13 plus one day, denoting religious & legal maturity.
Bat Mitzvah (girls) - ceremony at 12 years plus one day.
| • | Opportunity to 'graduate' into a lifestyle of "walking with his/her God" |
| • | Releases the father from spiritual responsibility for the child. |
| • | Recognises the preparation for the ceremony |
| • | Ceremony where father blesses child and releases him/her to join the congregation or community of adults and participate as an adult in religious life. |
| • | Celebration - similar to a wedding reception except for the mixed age groups! |
A Christian ceremony is usually based on this but in a Christian context. Important elements could include (from Craig Hill, reference below):
| • | Pastor calling person to adulthood |
| • | Message from Pastor |
| • | Child reciting commitments |
| • | Reading of past prophecies |
| • | Parents pray over and bless the child |
| • | The (Boys' Ceremony) Men of the congregation, together with father, grandfather, call him to come forth from his mother, cross some sort of physical line into manhood & fellowship with community of men. |
| • | Father, grandfather, men receive him as a man and pray their blessing over him, giving him scriptures & prophetic words |
| • | Receive communion together |
| • | Father gives him a ring or symbol of purity until marriage. |
Focus on The Family have a wider ceremony based on spiritual milestones and note that it's never too late to do this (even though puberty is a special and particular window of opportunity).
FURTHER INFORMATION & RESOURCES
Craig Hill seminars: Video seminars are constantly scheduled around New Zealand. See website for details: www.familyfi.org/index.htm
Book: "Bar Barakah - A parents' guide to a Christian Bar Mitzvah" by Craig Hill. From any Christian Bookshop. Also "The Importance of The Blessing". Check out Craig's website: www.familyfi.org/Blessing.htm
Christian/Messianic Bar Mitzvah format www.heartofisrael.org/pubs/BMitzvah.PDF