The Purpose of Christening

The christening is often a milestone event in a child's life.
The christening is often a milestone event in a child's life. (Image: mother with baby in church image by Pavel Losevsky from


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Christening, or baptizing, of the entire family originated around the time of Christ. Before this, adults were baptized until the teachings of the Book of Acts, which encouraged whole families to be baptized together. As persecution in the church decreased and ceremonies were no longer performed secretly in homes, infant baptism grew to be a common public ceremony.


Churches are more liberal than they were in the past regarding whose baby they will baptize. Many churches will provide christening services to single-parent families, same-sex parent families and families with unmarried parents.


Traditionally, during a christening, water is poured over the top of a baby's head. If an adult is being christened or baptized, their entire body may be submerged in a baptizing pool called a baptismal. The water symbolizes being purified after being born into the sin of humankind.

Some churches have elaborate baptismals.
Some churches have elaborate baptismals. (Image: kirchengewÃ¶lbe image by fotohansi from


Historically, christenings took place at the church to which the family belonged. You no longer have to be a member to have your baby baptized at most churches. Christenings can also take place in the home or outdoors.




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