Christenings

One of the most momentous occasions in a Christian child’s life, a christening is performed and celebrated for many different reasons, depending on what sector of the Christian church you follow. In addition not all Christians agree with the practise of christening, though the majority of them do, and the practise is commonly contrasted with adult baptism. Many of the groups that do not perform christenings stem from the Protestant church, including the Baptists, Pentecostals and Seventh Day Adventists. Others include Jehovah’s Witnesses and Latter Day Saints, and in addition Jews do not perform christenings either.

The christening ceremony varies between different Christian denominations, though many incorporate a prepared ceremony beforehand called a liturgy, and the rite used would be equal to the denomination’s rite for adult baptisms, by pouring or sprinkling water. A lot of Catholic sects practise full immersion in a baptismal font, and even when this is not specifically practised Catholics never sprinkle the water, as they pour instead. Many godparents choose to dress the child in a white gown which after the ceremony becomes a treasured keepsake, though this is not always practised and is not an integral part of the ceremony.

It depends on the sect of Christianity as to the reasons behind why they perform christenings. The Catholic Church considers christenings to be essential and that they should be performed as soon as possible, and if the child is close to death to also perform the ceremony quickly.