Talking about baptism using ‘The Lion King’

I have used the opening sequence to ‘The Lion King’ – when the infant Simba is presented for a kind of ‘baptism’. I’ve used it with older siblings when their baby brother or sister is being baptised. The clip in the Disney film shows the whole community getting together to welcome Simba. He is anointed, welcomed and ‘blessed’ when the light appears in the sky. We talk about how everyone is important in the sight of God, and how delighted we are as a church to welcome each person. The clip might be found on YouTube but it would be better to use the DVD to avoid the advertising.

 

Gill O'Neill, priest in Southwark Diocese