Faith Without Words: On Infant Faith Formation

Note: This article is part of a special Patheos Symposium, Passing on the Faith: Teaching the Next Generation. Read more perspectives here.

Faith forms first without words. Faith lives in our bodies before it is named. In our wordy Western culture, adult faith too often drowns in words. The tsunami of doctrine that confronts us easily overwhelms its source.

By contrast, an infant's whole body is their mind. Long before words give names to faith, it speaks its message in the tender touch of caregiving—in the loving glance, in a reassuring response to cries, in the anticipation of daily routine. Awareness of how we first formed our faith as infants re-connects us as adults with faith at its source.

Faith is formed through acts of caregiving.

You, the infant, are born into a family story. This story welcomes you to a place of belonging. It holds you as special and unique. If you are born in a family of faith, the story of faith embraces you as well. Knowing the support of a community larger than themselves and trusting God's faithful presence, your parents carry this faith in their bodies as they cradle the newborn you.

Even the most tentative new parent comes bearing a melody of body rhythms. You, the infant, lean into that heartbeat and still your breathing on the rhythm of their breath. In their sheltering arms, your body learns to sing a song of harmony.

As their eyes light up with pleasure in your presence, you know a love for simply being who you are. In daily acts of bathing, toileting, clothing, feeding—you experience the comforting order of ritual. In the security of a parent's reassuring presence, you learn to trust that life is good—"I will be provided for!"  

Faith is formed in sacred time and place. 

A newborn's unpredictable rhythms wreak havoc on a parent's spiritual life, a disruption that continues through much of childhood. Faith in families is more often nurtured in small daily practices than in quiet contemplation. Even as an infant, you sensed when time and space was set apart from ordinary tasks and claimed as sacred.

Grace at meals, taking a tiny moment for gratitude, lays the day's experiences open to blessing and invites the presence of something greater into family life. This may be all a family needs to open a portal to the world of faith. Lighting a candle and holding hands can deepen time together. A special chair, a picture on the wall, a shelf for nature's gifts—can also claim a space as holy.

If family time expands in prayers or Bible tales or song, the awe in tone of voice, the reverent pose, conveys to the infant you the wonder that adults too find in sacred presence. Long before words are needed, you feel an invitation to share in this source of strength and meaning.

Faith is formed at play in creation.  

Faith forms in time alone. The dance of sunbeams on your crib, the curl of sand between your toes, the velvet touch of flower—all beckon you to be at play in God's creation.

The world around seems oh-so-much-larger than tiny infant you . . . and yet creation holds you safe in its embrace of beauty.

Faith is formed in a community of shared meaning.

Then comes the day you're introduced into a faith community beyond your family walls. Eager hands bestow on you a blessing. With oohs and ahs of welcome, you pass secure into a larger story.

Sacred space and time take on new forms as voices swell in prayer and song. Formed already by faith's firm foundation, you rest secure, invited to a greater belonging. Here, one day, you too will know the words to name a faith already living deep within. Here, as an adult you can return to rest your knowledge in faith's source.

When does an infant form faith?

Faith is formed through acts of caregiving.
When the shelter of an adult body reassures.
When gentle rocking comforts.
When someone listens and understands.
When you are in a crowd and an adult takes your hand.

Faith is formed at play in creation.
When you are at play in the world.
When you color a rainbow.
When you pet a kitten or cuddle a baby chick.
When the night sky winks stars and you feel small.

Faith is formed in sacred time and place.
When you feel cozy in bed or sit on a warm lap to be read a Bible story.
When a meal is graced.
When scripture is read with reverence.
When something wonderful happens and someone gives thanks.

Faith is formed in a community of shared meaning.
When you are part of a prayer circle and everyone is holding hands.
When a church member listens like you have something important to say.
When someone who is not your parent teaches you about God or Jesus.
When the organ plays or bells ring or candles are lit.
Or a banner marches forward in church.


8/13/2013 4:00:00 AM
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