I attended my newest nephew's baptism this past weekend. It was quite lovely. He wore his great grandfather's christening gown that several members of his family have been baptized in, including his mother and grandmother. There were only four babies being baptized, so it wasn't too long. And two of my three kids got tapped to assist the priest by holding the oils that he anointed each baby with.
My sister-in-law and brother-in-law hosted a great party afterwards. Lots of yummy food (homemade lasagne!) and good company. Our kids and my brother-in-law's nieces and nephews get along great. Everyone had a good time.
As a Catholic, I take the sacraments that we can receive very seriously. I bought my nephew a stuffed lamb and three board books about Jesus. When I went to buy a card, the cards at the Christian bookstore were clearly not for infant baptism. So I ran to the Hallmark store the morning of the baptism and found several nice cards that mentioned baptism and were clearly for infants. I found one that had a sentiment that I liked and purchased it.
Fast forward to the party where my sister-in-law was opening the gifts. She received three of the same card (not the one I bought) and that led us to a discussion of the lack of variety in Baptism/ Christening cards. I mentioned how that is true at many stores, but not at Hallmark where there seemed to be at least five cards I liked that all mentioned baptism specifically. One of the women there said that
she doesn't like to buy cards where the wording is too "religiousy." Really? I just shook my head and smiled. The reason for a baptism is to welcome a child into God's family and the church family. Isn't that the point? How can you be too religious with a baptism? I just don't get it.
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I'm all about tradition so I love that your nephew wore an outfit that was handed down. My daughter wore the same christening dress that I wore and I hope she will pass on this tradition to her children.
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