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Posts Tagged ‘baby baptism’

Baby baptisms are special occasions. It’s the time when you will dedicate your baby to Christ and promise to raise him or her in a Christian tradition. You’ll also have god parents to choose who will promise to raise your children should anything happen to you and your husband, and who also will guide your child along through life.

So, who gets invited to this big day? It will depend on how you want to do it. First off, you’re going to pick two people to be god parents. These are typically the two closest members of your family—one male and one female. But it can also be anyone you choose from a close family friend to a cousin. It is considered an honor to be chosen as a god parent, so no one is likely going to turn your invitation down. Just be sure you choose someone trustworthy and who you know will be in your life forever.

The Catholic tradition baptizes babies. Other faiths have adult baptisms if they have them at all. So, it’s a cultural as well as a traditional custom used by only certain religious groups. When thinking about inviting people to the actual ceremony, consider their religion as well as their relationship to you. You want to include everyone from your immediate family as well as the people closest to you in your family. Aunts, uncles, cousins and other close family are always invited.

When it comes to your friends outside of your family, consider a few things. Will they have to travel a far distance to make it to the baptism? Will they be uncomfortable in your church if they are from another faith? Will it pose an inconvenience to them to have to make arrangements to come (are they ill or unable to travel)?

Most times it’s more a factor of how many people your event hall or home can hold rather than a person’s situation that will dictate who you invite to a baptism. For instance, if you’re having the reception at your house and only have room for 20 people, you’re going to have to start cutting some of your friends out. However, if you have a hall booked and can accommodate any number of people, go ahead and invite everyone you want. If someone is unable to travel, they can politely say no. They will usually send a baptism gift anyway even if they can’t make it.

You need to invite everyone to the actual baptism as well as the reception. The highlight of the day is seeing the baby get baptized. Many people have the event catered afterwards, but you can cook everything the night before and refrigerate it. When everyone gets to your house, just start warming things up. You can also decorate your home, and/or prepare baptism favors for your guests.

Baptisms are sometimes held on Saturday mornings so as not to interfere with the normal Sunday mass schedule. But you can ask at your church if Sunday afternoons are offered. Sometimes it’s easier to have it on a Saturday rather than a Sunday when people have to be up early for work the next day. But it will depend on when your church offers baptisms.

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In the Bible it says, “And now why tarriest thou?  Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22.16).  Baptism is mentioned again and again in the Bible and symbolizes a washing away of sins.  Early baptisms were held in rivers, and in fact, they still are in many religions.  The terms baptism and christening are used interchangeably, but there are differences between the two ceremonies.

Baptism and christening are both rites of passage and rituals that take place in a variety of faiths.  John the Baptist baptized his followers in the River Jordan; Jesus is the most famous of those baptized.  The ceremony symbolizes the washing away of sins.  A christening, on the other hand, has traditionally been a naming ceremony which welcomes the baby into the church.  Most parents today do not delay naming their baby, so the actual meaning of a christening is changed.  Today, it is not an official naming as much as a welcome to the church.

The differences between a christening and baptism are related to the specific faith.  For Catholics, Lutherans, and Episcopalians, for instance, baptism and christening are one and the same.  The baby is sprinkled with water to wash away original sin and become an official part of the church.  In this case, baptism and christening really are interchangeable terms.  One does not happen without the other.

In religions that baptize and christen when children are newborns or babies, the two ceremonies are intertwined.  In other faiths, baptism and christening are distinct and separate.  According to the beliefs of religions such as Baptist, Evangelical, or Methodist, babies are not baptized.  Why?  Because, in their view, it has no effect or meaning.  A baby cannot consciously choose whether he wants to follow Christ; it is his parents’ decision at that point. These faiths site the Bible, saying there is no mention of infant baptism. John, as we recall, baptized an adult Jesus.  These churches baptize older children and adults because of the ability to make that commitment. Often times they're given baptism gifts afterward to celebrate. There are also many different forms of baby baptism favors that are given to guests of the celebration.

The ceremony of baptism itself is also different.  Typically, the person being baptized is submerged in a river or pond.  Some churches have baptism tanks instead, which are similar to small pools.  At a christening/baptism for a baby, the priest sprinkles water over the baby’s forehead.  This ceremony uses water much more symbolically – and sparingly.

For many faiths, christening and baptism are part of the same ceremony, welcoming the baby into the faith.  For others, baptism must be a conscious decision, undertaken to affirm a commitment to Christ.   While some churches baptize babies, all will baptize people who want to be welcomed into the faith, regardless of age.  Even in the Catholic Church, which baptizes and christens infants, there are adult converts who are baptized.  In other churches, people are considered reborn when they undergo baptism.

Whatever the age, the symbolism of baptism is similar.  It involves the washing away of sins and a commitment to following God and the teachings of the church into which one is baptized.  Today, many people who aren’t particularly religious are continuing the tradition of baptism and choosing godparents in order to help their child grow up with a strong sense of morals and support.

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• Baptism Gift Ideas for Baby
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Baptism is an important ritual in many faiths.  While the ceremonies differ, the symbolism is typically the same: baptism is a washing away of sin.  It has traditionally been, and remains, a purification ritual in which water plays a big part, both symbolically and literally.  How did this ritual develop?  How do different cultures celebrate baptism?  And what does it mean today?  Baptism is a beautiful ritual, and when you know its history, it becomes that much more meaningful.

We typically associate baptism with Christian religions, but the roots begin with Judaism.  Mikvah, or ritual immersion, was performed when one needed to be restored to purity.  This happened after being exposed to something deemed by the Torah to be “unclean.”  This could be anything from becoming defiled via contact with a corpse or being with a woman while she was menstruating. Women were to cleanse after menstruation or childbirth.  Until the person was cleansed, he/she was not allowed to attend temple.

The person who needed cleansing brought an offering, such as lambs, doves, or grains, and the priest would ritualistically cleanse the body with water, oils, and perfumes.  Converts to Judaism also underwent the ritual cleansing.  Mikvah is still very important to the Orthodox Jewish community, and often, the baths are elaborately done.

In Islam, there is a ritual called Ghusl, which is a ritual washing required for prayer or certain rituals.  It is done after having sex, menstruation, childbirth, and death by natural causes.  It is also commonly practiced before Friday and Eid prayers, in preparation for haji, or the journey to Mecca, and before converting to Islam. There are rules governing the prayers said during ablution, as well as what types of water are permitted for use.

Both of these rituals have much in common with the Christian idea of baptism.  One key difference, though, is that both mikvah and ghusl are performed on an as-needed basis, so to speak.  They are done repeatedly throughout life to regain purity.  The Christian ritual of baptism is done once in a person’s life.  Instead of purifying the person from a specific “unclean” act, the baptism represents the desire of the baptized to follow the ways of the church and repent from sin. It is not a purification of sin, per se, but a symbolic act.

There are different forms of baptism among Christian religions and different practices concerning the age at which one is baptized.  In the Catholic, Episcopal, and Lutheran Churches, for instance, baptism is performed near birth to wash away “Original Sin,” which it is believed all people are born with.  In many other faiths, baptism is delayed until a child is older, or even till adulthood.  This is because the belief in Original Sin is not universal in Christianity.  Also, many churches believe the person should be old enough to make the conscious choice to become baptized, and thus an official member of the church.

While water plays an important role in baptism, not all ceremonies are the same.  In Catholic ceremonies, for instance, the baby is held over the baptismal font, and water is sprinkled lightly over his head.  This is called aspersion baptism. In other faiths, the person to be baptized kneels and water is poured over his head.  He may also kneel in water.  This is affusion baptism.

Immersion baptism is when the congregant is fully submerged in water.  This is practiced by Anabaptists and Baptists.  In these faiths, people are not baptized until they are adults.  Immersion is often done in baptismal fonts, swimming pools, bathtubs, rivers, or lakes.  Some sects, including Armenian Baptists, and some Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, and Anglicans, partially immerse the baptized, dunking their heads under water. Other faiths, like the Baptists and Anabaptists, demand full immersion.

Despite the differences in baptismal practices among faiths, there are many more similarities.  Water purifies and removes sin, whether on a symbolic level or a literal level.  Converts to religions typically undergo baptism to indicate their dedication to following the tenants of the faith.  Whether it is done repeatedly, as with mikvah and ghusl, or once, as with Christian faiths, it is an important ceremony. Often times, after the baptism, family and friends congregate at the home of the little one and celebrate with a meal and baptism gifts.

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• How to Choose Your Baby's Godparents

Is the idea of godparents antiquated?  Does it have explicit religious overtones?  What is the role of godparents in a child’s life?  As you consider a baby baptism, you certainly have a host of questions that you need answered.  One of the most important is who you should choose to be your child’s godparents.  If you consider this a very important person in your baby’s life, then it is a decision that requires careful deliberation.  Let’s begin by talking about what exactly a godparent is and does so you can choose the people who will best fit the job description.

Traditionally, godparents have been members of the same church as the parents.  That is, Catholic parents would choose fellow Catholics as godparents for their baby.  The godparents were like sponsors of the child’s faith, and their role was to help guide them along their religious path.  Godparents are common in many sects of Christianity, as well as in other religions.  In Judaism, for example, the sandek (or person who holds the baby during circumcision) and the kvater, or kvaterin (person who takes the child from the mother and carries him into the room to be circumcised) are derived from the same roots as godparents.  In fact, kvater is derived from the German Gott-Vater, or godfather.  In Chinese culture, a baby is often matched with a family member.  This godparent does not have a religious role but rather serves to strengthen family ties.

Today, many people who are not religious continue to choose godparents. Instead of guiding the child in his religious upbringing, they are involved with the shaping of his morals.  It is often thought that a godparent will become the legal guardian of a child if his parents should die.  This is not true, or not always.  Being a godparent doesn’t automatically entitle one to become a legal guardian.  Godparent is not a legal term, but a religious or cultural one.  If parents want to make their godparents legal guardians, they must do so through legal channels.

Now, who to choose?  It depends on your faith and on how you are baptizing your child.  If you are Catholic, for instance, it is customary to choose at least one godparent who is also Catholic and who has been baptized, receives communion, and has been confirmed.  If you are religious, the godparents are usually also religious and believe in prayer, attending church, and living according to your faith.  Your particular congregation may have rules or requirements, so make sure to ask your priest or pastor.

If you are not particularly religious, it is important to choose a person with whom you share common morals and beliefs. Would this person be a good guide or mentor for your child?  If your child had a moral dilemma, would this person provide sound advice?

A godparent can be a family member, friend, or trusted member of your community.  As with any decision that requires you to pick only one or two people, there are bound to be hurt feelings if someone wants to be a godparent and you do not ask. Before you think about feelings, think about who would best fit your description of a godparent. Choose this person; it is right for you and for your child.  If someone is going to feel slighted, make sure they have a role in the christening or baptism and assure them they are an important part of your child’s life.  If it is a grandmother who feels left out, for instance, have her pick out the christening outfit – or get her a Grandma brag book. She’ll get over it!

A godparent is important whether or not you are religious or plan to raise your child in a particular faith.  This person can help you guide your child along the path that will make him the best person possible.

When you are chosen to be a Godparent in a new baby’s life, you are being honored in a very special way. You are being asked to help guide a baby’s religious upbringing and to promise to help raise the child should anything happen to the parents. It’s a true blessing to be a Godparent. You will have a special bond with your Godson or Goddaughter as they grow into adulthood and beyond.

The Baptism gift should be extra special since you are being honored with the spiritual care of the child. So, what can you give that will appropriately convey your love?

• Think about writing a special letter to your Godchild. Write about the day she was born and any special thoughts you have about her and sentiments for her future. Write it on special parchment or stationery and seal it in a decorative envelope. Write on it, “For Libby, To Be Opened on your 18th Birthday,” or some variation of it. Have her parents save it for her in her baby book or in another special place. You will both be so surprised to read it when all the years have passed.

• Give a photo album that’s engraved with your Godchild’s name and Baptism date. Then, as the years go by, offer to come over and fill it with special photos and mementos for the child. As the years pass, you will be creating a memory book that will be treasured.

• Traditional gifts, of course, include cash and savings bonds. You can even set up a special savings account for your Godchild now and tell her parents that you intend to add to it as the child grows up. Give the parents the passbook and account number. Then, as you make deposits, they can hold onto it for their child. You can include a letter wishing your Godchild happiness and hoping she will use the money for college.

• The day is all about bringing a new child into the Christian faith, so celebrate the big event with crosses. You can start a cross charm bracelet that you will add to over the years. Or, if you have a little Godson, you can start a collection of wall crosses or cross statues that you’ll keep adding to. If you travel, plan to purchase a cross everywhere you go and continually add to the growing collection. It will be a special reminder of a very special Godparent.

• Engraved pendants, lockets and other fine jewelry is also a nice idea. For a little Goddaughter, you might start her out with a real pearl necklace and add to it every holiday. By the time she’s 18, she’ll have a gorgeous strand of real pearls to wear to her prom. Or, start her out with a real silver or gold baby bracelet monogrammed with her initials. You can also purchase gem jewelry in her birthstone. You’ll probably be the first one to ever gift her with her birthday stone. A special pendant with a cross on it or a religious medal in silver or gold is also a fine choice.

The idea is to give a memorable gift that you can also keep adding to over the years. You will want to keep up your special relationship with your Godchild and having a special collection that’s started at birth will be a lovely way to do it.