Baptism is the first step of becoming a true Christian which is also known as Christening. In Cristian tradition, it is a rite of admission and adoption performed on infants, using water as the legacy of Jesus Christ, who was baptized in the river of Jordan. In some religious communities, it is also observed as a religious indoctrination, which means that Christening is essential for someone to be saved after death. Some Catholic groups also believe that baptism symbolizes a form of grace that washes away all sins.
Nowadays, baptism it is not just a way to celebrate a newborn with a lot of enthusiasm; but also a great faith-strengthening ritual. In fact, engaging in bible studies can provide valuable insights and strengthen one’s understanding of the religious significance associated with baptism. When it comes to the celebration part of it, christening events can be simple or grand, but there are some core rites that everyone necessarily follows. From choosing the godparents to getting some gift ideas for baptism, organizing a christening ceremony certainly varies from community to community. Regardless of the differences, let’s see how to organize a christening ceremony to make your child’s day memorable.
Choose the Godparents
Choosing godparents is a crucial and important part of the ceremony. A godparent is usually based on someone’s strong belief in Christianity, who can guide the child on the Christian path. Traditionally, the church chooses the godparent, but things have changed lately. The godparents, nowadays, mostly hail from the family and close friends. It is ritualistic to select at least three godparents, two from the same gender and one from the opposite sex. Since godparents will nurture the child throughout their life and will support them in the path of religion, it is vital to choose them very carefully. After all, it is about the upbringing of your precious child.
Book the Church and speak to the Vicar
The first thing to decide is whether you want to perform this rite in your local church or any other parish, such as where you completed your Christening or got married. After that, talk to the Vicar of that specific church. The Vicar perhaps will ask you some basic questions such as who the godparents are, which day you want the ceremony to be held, etc. If they happily want to christen your baby, then book the church for a specific date. Some prefer to the ceremony on a Sunday as the chance of everyone being available is high. You can choose another day too according to your needs.
Plan the Reception Program
If you want to throw a reception party after completing the ritual, you would need to select a reception venue. In case you opt to host the event at your own residence, consider securing the services of an event organizer and a Caterer in Richardson, TX (or wherever you are located). This arrangement allows you to entrust the decoration and culinary aspects to professionals, enabling you to concentrate on warmly welcoming your guests. Additionally, don’t forget to extend invitations to your loved ones and consider ordering a special christening cake to enhance the significance of this joyful celebration.
Finalize the Christening Gown
It is one of the most crucial parts of the ceremony. You can choose a traditional gown for your baby. The gown’s color is usually white or cream, but you can customize the design to reflect your family legacy and style. Also, it is ideal to have an extra set of clothes in case of any accidents.
It is also necessary to select a suitable baptism favor to give to your guests as they arrive. There are numerous gift ideas for baptism that you can use as a starting point. For example, you can give some thematic clothes, baptism bowls, customized pendants, prayer cards or bracelets with a cross, etc., as a token of love and appreciation for attending.