Consecration of a Quinceañera
If you cannot find 14 fourteen girls or if you don’t want to have a "court of attendants", it is appropriate to have the quinceañera stand alone with her parents. It is suggested that the following objects be used in the ceremony.
1. A Bible (preferably with a satin and lace cover or just plain white).
2. Baby shoes (They look better if they are white satin).
3. A ring (either with a birthstone or a small diamond, etc.)
4. Watch (preferably a dressy one)
5. A tiara
6. A rose bud, a rose in half-bloom and a rose in complete bloom.
7. A white 18-inch candle. (It can be decorated with ribbons and small roses to match color scheme.)
8. A small and decorative perfume decanter.
9. A parasol that has been decorated to match the color scheme.
10. A pillow to place by the kneeler (or for her to kneel on in case you don’t have a kneeler). This is to be placed before the ceremony begins; either by an attendant, as part of the processional, or by someone else before the prelude.
Each attendant may carry a white long-stem rose, which they can give to her as she marches out at the end of the ceremony.
You may wish to begin the ceremony with a small explanation of the quinceañera rite of passage. It was originally begun to introduce a young lady in society as ready for courtship. However, evangelicals have changed the meaning to be a time when a young lady dedicates and commits her life to the Lord publicly.
A ceremony is so much more beautiful when it is interspersed with music. For the processional someone may sing “Butterfly Kisses” or a song of that nature. If the parents sing or the quinceañera sings, they may want to choose a song that has great meaning to them. Make this event very personal. Offer ideas to the young lady and her mother to guide them along.
CEREMONY
Beloved in Jesus Christ, we have gathered here, in God’s presence to give thanks for the fifteen years of life God has given (give the quinceañera’s complete name using the title Miss or Sister.) We are glad that she decided to celebrate her birthday in God’s house. The Psalmist says: "Because better is a day in your courts that a thousand outside of them. . . "We can say to the (state the family name) family "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord. "Thank you for the invitation to this celebration, to this moment of Consecration.
This is a happy age, when young girls hold many dreams. But also it is a difficult age because it is at this age when a young lady becomes accountable for her spiritual life. From now on (give name) you’ve ceased to be a little girl for you have become a young lady. Your parents have done what they can in rearing you in the admonition of the Lord, but you will now begin to make decisions and get ready for a little more independence. It is during this time that you will need Jesus as your friend, counselor and above all as Savior. (If someone has a song it may be sung at this moment. Surrender All is a good one.)
(Ask the attendants to stand at the altar). Since you have decided to celebrate your birthday in God’s house, I will dedicate some items to you so that each time you see them you will always remember this joyous event. These are only symbols of that which is to come; that which will be in God’s presence one glorious day.
(Ask for the Bible; give it then to the quinceañera). (Name) “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the (man) young lady of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:14-17). May this book always be a lamp unto your feet and light unto your path. Study it to shew yourself approved unto God.
(Ask for the rose bud). This symbolizes your infancy. At this age you were innocent and unaware of sin. The Kingdom of God was yours without the need of salvation and repentance.
(Ask for the rose in half-bloom). But, as you grew you began to experience the effects of man’s sinful nature in your life. At this age you had knowledge of right and wrong. At this age is when you began needing Christ as Savior and Lord.
(Ask for the rose in full bloom) And today, as this flower is in full bloom, beautiful and fragrant, so are you as you stand here today. But the Bible says of life, that it is as the grass, it flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone. Youthfulness is only a brief moment of time in life. All in life is pretense and the only important thing that is eternal is your soul. Keep it and guard it faithfully. And what better way to keep your life but by giving it to The Giver and Keeper of our days? He has promised you life eternal at His side.
(Ask for the perfume; give it to her). This bottle of perfume symbolizes the prayers and worship the saints offer to the Lord. Your life should not only glorify God but it must be used to win souls for Him "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other the fragrance of life. . . " (2 Cor. 2:15;16). The proverb writer said that perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the psalmist confirms this saying: "May my prayer be set before you like incense." (Psalm 141:2). May you always please the Lord with your life and with your prayers.
(Ask for the parasol). This parasol will help you think on what the Lord has said "(My Glory) will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain" (Isaiah 4:6). When you find yourself in trouble or in danger may you always be able to say: "You are my refuge and my shield." (Psalm 119:114). Stand steadfast on this truth. God has given us more than 33,000 promises and all can be yours. Every promise, every verse, every line.
(Ask for the shoes; give them to her). These shoes symbolize your daily walk. When you were a little girl, your parents would take you where they wanted. You did not decide where or when you would go. Today they have passed on to you a most important responsibility and you are accountable to God for each step that you take. Remember that God is always watching you. And what joy you shall feel if when the Lord comes you can say, "I have chosen the way of truth; I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes." (Psalm 119:30,59).
(Ask for the tiara and place it on her head). This crown is beautiful and radiant, but how much more glorious and beautiful will the crown which He will give you on that day be? The Bible mentions a few crowns. Which ones do you want? The first crown promised is the crown of life. To obtain it the Lord says " be faithful till the end and I will give you the crown of life." For those that persevere He has promised " the incorruptible crown ", (1 Cor. 9:25). To those who long for His coming He has promised "the crown of righteousness", (2 Tim. 4:8). To the pastors He has promised "the crown of glory", (1 Peter 5:4) The Bible urges us to cling to our crown "I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown", (Rev. 3:11). Can you imagine how much more beautiful it will be when you stand before the Lamb, and you can do just as the twenty-four elders mentioned in Revelations, "lay your crown before Him and say Holy, Holy, Holy, thank you for redeeming me"? (Rev. 4:8-10). (Song: Daughter of Heaven)
(Asks for the watch; place it on the left wrist) This watch will serve to remind you that the coming of the Lord is very near. With each second, minute, hour, and day that passes, remember that you must always be prepared because we do not know neither the day nor the hour when He will come for His Church. But as you await His coming, may you be able to say as the Psalmist: "Teach me to number my days aright, that I may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12).
(Ask for the ring, place it on her right hand).
This ring symbolizes authority. You have authority because you belong to the family of God. When the prodigal son returned, his father placed a ring on his finger because he had returned to the family and once again he had the authority that belonged to family members. Thus you have authority over the enemy because you are a daughter of the King. This ring will also help remind you of the infinite love of God. As this ring has no beginning or end by virtue of being a circle, thus the love of God has no beginning nor end. . .God has said, "I have loved you with an everlasting love." (Jer. 31:3). A ring can also symbolize a covenant. I understand you have a promise which you will make publicly.
(She can sing her song I Promise and recite verse. Or this purity ring ceremony:
THE RING CEREMONY
Minister: There was a time when many walked habitually in the pathway of the world. I lived according to the flesh, but God made us alive through Christ.
Quinceañera: I commit to a life of purity.
Minister: God is rich in His mercy toward us, that while we were dead in our sins, through the grace of Jesus, we have been made alive forevermore.
Quinceañera: Create in me a clean heart, oh God.
Minister: Lord, cleanse Your church.
Quinceañera: Restore Your glory.
Minister: Make the crooked passages of our lives straight today.
Quinceañera: Restore my joy. I am Your child.
Minister: Hear, oh Lord, in this sacred hour, on this holy ground, our commitment to You and each other.
Minister: Lord be glorified as this quinceañera commits:
Minister: (Repeat after the Minister) Believing that true love waits, I make a
commitment to God, myself, my family, my friends, my future mate, and my future children to a lifetime of purity including sexual abstinence from this day until the day I enter a biblical marriage relationship.
Minister: Lord be glorified as her parents commit:
Minister: (Parents repeat after the Minister) Believing that true love is pure, we join our daughter in committing to a lifestyle of purity. We make a commitment to God, ourselves, our family, and our community of faith to abstain from pornography, impure touching and conversations, and sex outside a biblical marriage relationship from this day forward.
(Parents present the ring to your daughter.)
Minister: (Girl’s name), may this ring be a reminder of your commitment to purity. It was given to you by someone who loves you and supports you in this commitment. Wear it with the knowledge that your purity is for God’s glory. On your wedding night you are to give this ring to your spouse as a celebration of promises given and promises kept. May it also be a symbol of your continued sexual purity and the provision found in the gift of your spouse.)
(Ask the parents to come to the altar. The candle that the mother is holding will be lit by her parents, and both shall give it to their daughter. She will put it in the candelabra that it is at the altar).
This candle is also a symbol of your life. Your parents brought you into the world and cared for your spiritual well-being when you where young; but now you are being given the responsibility of caring for your spiritual life "You are the light of the world. . . a lamp is not lit and is put under a bowl, but on the candle stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house." (Matt. 5:14, 15). Let your light so shine before others, so they may see your good works and glorify the Father.
(Ask all three to kneel. The parents will pray silently for their daughter as you pray aloud. Next the young lady will offer her prayer of consecration. She may memorize Psalm 119:33-48 or write her own prayer.
Finally, she will give words of thanks to her parents, give a testimony or sing a song.
Conclude the ceremony with the Priestly Blessing:
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
(The original is in Spanish, which you can find on this web site under the title Meditaciones para una quienceañera. Or you may wish to view another one for an unsaved quinceañera entitled Consejos para una quinceañera.)
