A Brief History of Christening
Christening is a very special service which welcomes someone into the Christian family. A Christening service contains a number of things, including the moment of Baptism. It is the way in which the Church admits new members and is very significant to Christians.
The word 'Baptism' means 'to dip' and refers to the person being dipped into water. Baptism draws on the Jewish roots of Christianity because Jesus was a Jew. Traditionally Jews were circumcised as part of their faith which involves a two way promise with God. The promise is this: God will bless His people if they do not forget Him.
Christians use Baptism in the same way, to acknowledge their relationship with God. In the New Testament, John the Baptist called the people to Baptism where they would be ritually washed and cleansed of their old (bad) ways.
In the early Church St Paul taught it is how we live, and not how we say we live, that really counts. The early Church decided Baptism was the one and only requirement for membership. As the early Church grew, Baptism of babies was introduced because so many died at a very young age. Today some practicing Christians prefer to let their children reach an age when they can make the promises of Baptism for themselves.
Baptism should never, ever be about whether a 'Christening Gown' fits. It should never be entered into lightly, and should always come with a two-way promise between God and the participants.
Baptism calls on the Baptised (and all who make promises both for themselves and on behalf the Baptised) to accept both the gift of God's blessing and to commit themselves not to forget God, either in private prayer or public worship.