A quinceanera, also known as a quince, is a very special event when families celebrate their daughter's fifteenth birthday. Though some modern celebrations are secular, the majority of quinceanera are still religious in nature, just as they were rooted in the Latino tradition. Using Bible verses on the invitation is a nice way to set a religious tone for the entire event.
Which Version to Use
The version or translation of the Bible you use depends on personal preference and overall style of the ceremony.
- An invitation for a traditional ceremony may use verses from the King James Version (KJV), where a more contemporary birthday girl might want to use a modern translation, such as the New International Version (NIV).
- Other familiar versions also include the English Standard Version (ESV), New Living Translation (NLT), and the American Standard Version (ASV).
- Some families might even decide to use a Spanish translation of scripture.
Old Testament Scriptures
Many scriptures can be used for invitations. These favorites come from various versions of the Old Testament.
Numbers 6:24 (NIV)
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you
peace."
This scripture is often used as a benediction, but it is also appropriate for an invitation. This blessing is beautiful and is the perfect prayer for a fifteenth birthday and any time.
Psalm 37:4 (KJV)
"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and he shall give you the desires of your heart."
The Psalmist encourages people to put God first and trust Him to provide for their needs and even their desires. This is a wonderful message for everyone, but especially for those who are just embarking on adulthood.
Psalm 119:33-48 (KJV)
Psalm 119:33 says, "Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end."
The passage continues in the same fashion, offering a prayer to God asking for help in serving Him and pledging to follow Him. You can read the entire passage (Psalm 119:33-48) at Bible Gateway.
If used with a small font and a limited amount of other text and graphics, this verse can be used in its entirety on an invitation.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
This scripture is a good reminder, not only for the guest of honor, but for guests too. If you put your trust in the Lord, He will guide you. This is a great way to declare a girl's desire to walk with God for the rest of her life.
Proverbs 31:30 (NLT)
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised."
This verse reminds young women that their beauty is not based on outward appearance, but is seeded in the soul. A beautiful exterior may fade with time, but a beautiful heart is everlasting.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NIV)
"Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them'"
This verse will encourage the birthday girl and her peers to stay close to the Lord during their youth so that when temptation and trials come their way, they will have the spiritual strength to stay on the right path and make wise, wholesome choices.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
This verse declares that God has plans for the birthday girl and that these plans are good and positive. It is an encouraging verse and is appropriate for someone who is just now embarking on the rest of her life.
New Testament Scriptures
These New Testament scriptures are appropriate for quinceanera invitations.
1 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)
"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man (or woman), I put the ways of childhood behind me."
A quinceanera is the celebration of a girl becoming a woman and this verse is the perfect way to announce and celebrate that fact.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. "
Because a quince is a ceremony of transition, this verse about transitioning is the perfect fit. Just as a girl is transitioning from girl to woman, so can she transition from her old sinful self to one that is new in Christ.
Philippians 4:13 (KJV)
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
This declaration is not only a good reminder, but an excellent slogan for life. Encourage the birthday girl to pursue her dreams by trusting in the Lord.
Colossians 3:14 (ASV)
"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
A scripture that reminds the birthday girl and guests to seek after love first in their lives is a perfect verse for a quince invitation.
1 John 4:16 (NIV)
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."
This scripture will encourage the birthday girl and guests to bask in God's everlasting love -- a good way to begin a celebration.
How to Incorporate the Scripture
The way you incorporate the scripture verse into the invitation will likely be determined by the design, size, and orientation.
- Front - Use a scripture at the front of the invitation if there is enough room. This works best if the scripture is short or you use a small font.
- Inside - A longer scripture can be used if it is on the inside of the invitation, where it doesn't have to share space with an image or invitation details.
- Back - A short scripture in a decorative font on the back of the invitation is a classy touch.
- Insert - You can even use an insert with a scripture verse on it. This will highlight the scripture and set it apart as an important part of the ceremony.
Deciding Which Bible Verse to Use
With so many appropriate scriptures that could be used in a quinceanera invitation, it might seem difficult to decide on the best one to use. Several factors should be considered when making the final decision.
- Message - What does the birthday girl want to tell her guests? Does she want to encourage them to draw closer God or to give them hope that He loves them? Choose a verse that conveys the message she wants to share with her guests.
- Motto - Perhaps the birthday girl has a special life motto that she wishes to convey through her scripture choice. For example, Psalm 19:14 says, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer", which could make a great life motto.
- Favorite verse - If the birthday girl has a favorite scripture, even one that wouldn't typically be used on an invitation, consider using it on the invitation. This might be a good way to personalize the invitation.
No matter which Bible passage is used in the invitation, the very inclusion of a verse will relay to guests that the ceremony will be religious in nature and that the birthday girl values her relationship with the Lord.
