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In this ceremony, parents and Godparents promise to raise the child in the Christian faith. Even if the child's parents are not regular churchgoers, a child can still be Christened and the local vicar will be able to provide guidance on this. Sometimes a vicar will require parents to undergo a period of instruction before the Christening, but again, this will depend upon circumstances and the vicar him/herself.

Usually, Christenings form part of the regular Sunday service to welcome the child into the community. Often, several Christenings take place in the same service, but in some parishes a private ceremony can be arranged following the Sunday service.

Parents and Godparents will be asked to make declarations that they believe in God and will raise the child to follow Jesus. The vicar will make the sign of the cross and then pour water on the child's head to wash away sin. Sometimes a candle will be lit in the church or given to the parents to symbolise the light that has now come into their child's life.

Some vicars will allow parents or guests to choose hymns and readings for the service.

The Church of England suggests that at least three Godparents are chosen, two the same sex as the child being Christened. Usually Godparents are relatives or close friends of the parents - people the child will have regular contact with. Godparents should themselves have been Christened and some vicars also require that they are confirmed. Godparents should be comfortable making the religious promises that are required of them.

In 1999 the Church of England introduced a Thanksgiving or Blessing Service. This is designed for those wanting a religious service to thank God for the child, but are not ready to make the commitment to baptism into the faith. A Christening can always follow at a later date. In these ceremonies Godparents are not chosen, but adults who will have a similar role in the child's life can take part.

A child may only be baptised into the Catholic faith if at least one parent is a Catholic because of the need for the priest to have an expectation that the child will be raised in the Catholic faith. Parents will usually be expected to go to pre-baptism preparation classes if it is their first child to be Christened. To the Catholic Church the baptism makes the child a member of the church. Being washed in holy water represents the washing away of original sin and being re-born into a new life in Christ. A Christening usually takes place in the local parish church during the main Sunday service so that the child can be welcomed into the church community. However, for those wanting a private ceremony, this can often be arranged with the priest. In the Catholic Church one Godparent is seen as being sufficient and no more than two are permitted. Godparents should themselves have been baptised and usually it is a requirement that they have also been confirmed. Godparents are expected to instruct the child in matters concerning faith. If the parents wish to have a non-Catholic play a recognised role in their child's life, the non-Catholic may be a 'witness' but not a Godparent. Some priests will permit parents to choose readings for the service. Parents and Godparents will be asked to make promises and declarations that they believe in God and will raise the child to follow Christ. At the end of the service a candle may be lit in the church, or given to the parents, to represent the light that has come into their child's life.

Of course it is tradional to give the baby, or the baby's parents, a gift. I recently attended my nephew's christening and I bought him a lovely unique christening plate which his parents will keep for many years.

This article was first published at this website.