Rose, Candle and Tassel Ceremonies
Ceremonies from our homeschool graduation last night. I did a lot of research and found very little information about each of these online, so I thought I would share these for others to use.
Rose Ceremony
As homeschoolers you did not get the choice of choosing your teacher or requesting a different teacher if you did not like the one you had. Your mom and/or dad served as your teacher for math, science, language arts, music, art, foreign language and other subjects. They also served as the principal, librarian, PE coach, guidance counselor, office secretary, record keeper, school board, transportation manager, Home Ec. instructor, and even the lunch lady. Your parents may have had to do without certain things because of their choice to homeschool you, but they would be the first to say that you are worth it.
God’s Word teaches us that it is the parents’ responsibility to teach their children.
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 11:18-19, NIV)
The Ten Commandments are one of the things God instructed us to teach to our children. The first five commandments deal with how we are to relate to God. The first commandment after that is how we are to relate to our parents. And it is the first commandment given with a promise. “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long.” (Exodus 20:12, NIV) And now you have the opportunity to honor your parents for following God’s commands, for instructing you in the way you are to go as Proverbs 22:6 commands, and for their sacrificial love for you.
Each graduate will now present a rose to his or her parents. The red rose is often used as a symbol of love as well as a symbol of sacrifice. This rose is represents the love each graduate has for his or her parents and it represents their understanding of the great sacrifice made in homeschooling them.
Candle Ceremony
The parents will now present each graduate with a candle. The candle has long been a symbol of wisdom and knowledge as well as the Christian symbol of Christ, who is the light of the world. Graduates, your parents have helped to prepare you for this moment in life by teaching you more than academics. These candles are small, because what your parents have taught you is just the beginning. You have the opportunity to see this light grow and shine brighter than ever as you continue to grow in your knowledge and in your walk with the Lord. You are now being entrusted with taking the knowledge that they have instilled in you into the future. Let your let shine for Christ wherever you go.
Tassel Ceremony
Throughout God’s Word we are instructed to teach what we know to others:
• Exodus 18:20 – “Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live”
• Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go.”
• Deuteronomy 4:9 – “Teach them to your children and to your grandchildren.”
• I Kings 8:36 – “Teach them the right way to live”
• Matthew 28:20 – “Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
It is one of the five purposes of the church: to disciple people, to teach them what we know and in turn they should go and teach others.
God knew we would be forgetful, so he continual encourages us to “remember” and to teach the next generation. But God went even further then telling us to remember and to teach, He also instructed His people to create a sort of memory tool to give them something physical and tangible to help them remember.
The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God. I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord your God.’” Numbers 15:37-41
Tassels have been traditionally worn at graduations as a symbol of completing a step in our education, a symbol that is used to help us remember. You never stop learning, but sometimes you will forget those things you have learned. It is inevitable.
Seniors, today you take a major step in life. You are moving toward more independence and more responsibility. You are moving toward more education or the beginning of your career. You are moving toward building new relationships and new experiences. As you move forward, don’t forget the things that helped you get this far. Let these tassels, and roses, and candles become symbols to help you remember.
Let the roses help you remember your parents’ love and sacrifice. Let these candles help you remember the wisdom and knowledge you have gained as well as be a reminder that Jesus is the Light of the world. And let these tassels be a reminder of all that you have learned. Seniors, you may now move your tassels from the right side of your cap to the left side. Congratulations Class of 2012.
As homeschoolers you did not get the choice of choosing your teacher or requesting a different teacher if you did not like the one you had. Your mom and/or dad served as your teacher for math, science, language arts, music, art, foreign language and other subjects. They also served as the principal, librarian, PE coach, guidance counselor, office secretary, record keeper, school board, transportation manager, Home Ec. instructor, and even the lunch lady. Your parents may have had to do without certain things because of their choice to homeschool you, but they would be the first to say that you are worth it.
God’s Word teaches us that it is the parents’ responsibility to teach their children.
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 11:18-19, NIV)
The Ten Commandments are one of the things God instructed us to teach to our children. The first five commandments deal with how we are to relate to God. The first commandment after that is how we are to relate to our parents. And it is the first commandment given with a promise. “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long.” (Exodus 20:12, NIV) And now you have the opportunity to honor your parents for following God’s commands, for instructing you in the way you are to go as Proverbs 22:6 commands, and for their sacrificial love for you.
Each graduate will now present a rose to his or her parents. The red rose is often used as a symbol of love as well as a symbol of sacrifice. This rose is represents the love each graduate has for his or her parents and it represents their understanding of the great sacrifice made in homeschooling them.
Candle Ceremony
The parents will now present each graduate with a candle. The candle has long been a symbol of wisdom and knowledge as well as the Christian symbol of Christ, who is the light of the world. Graduates, your parents have helped to prepare you for this moment in life by teaching you more than academics. These candles are small, because what your parents have taught you is just the beginning. You have the opportunity to see this light grow and shine brighter than ever as you continue to grow in your knowledge and in your walk with the Lord. You are now being entrusted with taking the knowledge that they have instilled in you into the future. Let your let shine for Christ wherever you go.Tassel Ceremony
Throughout God’s Word we are instructed to teach what we know to others:
• Exodus 18:20 – “Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live”
• Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go.”
• Deuteronomy 4:9 – “Teach them to your children and to your grandchildren.”
• I Kings 8:36 – “Teach them the right way to live”
• Matthew 28:20 – “Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
It is one of the five purposes of the church: to disciple people, to teach them what we know and in turn they should go and teach others.
God knew we would be forgetful, so he continual encourages us to “remember” and to teach the next generation. But God went even further then telling us to remember and to teach, He also instructed His people to create a sort of memory tool to give them something physical and tangible to help them remember.
The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God. I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord your God.’” Numbers 15:37-41
Tassels have been traditionally worn at graduations as a symbol of completing a step in our education, a symbol that is used to help us remember. You never stop learning, but sometimes you will forget those things you have learned. It is inevitable.
Seniors, today you take a major step in life. You are moving toward more independence and more responsibility. You are moving toward more education or the beginning of your career. You are moving toward building new relationships and new experiences. As you move forward, don’t forget the things that helped you get this far. Let these tassels, and roses, and candles become symbols to help you remember.
Let the roses help you remember your parents’ love and sacrifice. Let these candles help you remember the wisdom and knowledge you have gained as well as be a reminder that Jesus is the Light of the world. And let these tassels be a reminder of all that you have learned. Seniors, you may now move your tassels from the right side of your cap to the left side. Congratulations Class of 2012.
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