Introduction
Welcome everyone. We are here today to participate in the christening sacrament, and to give thanks and celebrate our joy in the arrival of a precious child.
[Parent1] and [Parent2] want to share their joy with you and they look forward to your continuing involvement with their child's life in the years ahead. They are also aware of the great responsibility that is now theirs. A great deal of their lives will be involved in caring for their child, and guiding them through the many paths of life.
As the years go by, their role as parents will be assisted and enhanced by each one of you here today, as well as by the friends and elsewhere that are unable to be here.
The christening of a child is an important rite of passage to those that recognise the sanctity of life.
I will now ask the parents to bring forward their child to be christened.
[Parent1] and [Parent2], with the help of God, will you do all that you can to provide your child with love, comfort, encouragement, sustenance, shelter and protection from harm?
We will.
Prayer (Example)
God our creator, we thank you for the wonder of new life and for the mystery of human love. We thank you for all whose suppor, surround, and sustain the beginning of life. We thank you, that we are known to you by name, and loved by you for all eternity.
(Godparents Section)
[Parent1] and [Parent2], have you chosen godparents for your child?
Yes, we have.
Please have them come forward.
Tell us your names.
[Godparent], with the help of God, will you do all that you can to help and support [Parent1] and [Parent2] in the bringing up of their child? I will.
[Godparent], with the help of God, will you do all that you can to help and support [Parent1] and [Parent2] in the bringing up of their child? I will.
Prayer (Example)
Eternal Father, we ask that you pour your blessings into this water, and sanctify it for our use today. In Christ's name.
The minister takes [Child] from the godparents, holds them and says:
[Parent1] and [Parent2], what name have you given your child? (Parents answer)
Then I hereby christen you [Child].
The Baptism
(The minister can either have a vessel of blessed water available to pour over the child's forehead or makes the sign of the cross on the child's forehead with the blessed water from the 'font'.)
And, by the authority vested in me by God and his Church, I hereby baptize you in the name of the Father (pour or cross), and of the Son (pour or cross), and of the holy Spirit (pour or cross). Amen.
As Jesus took children in his arms and blessed them, so now we ask God's blessing on this Child. (as [Child] is returned to [Parent1] and [Parent2])
Prayer (Example)
Heavenly Father, we praise you for [Child]’s birth - surround them with your blessings that they may know your love, be protected from evil, and know your goodness all their days. May they learn to love all that is true, grow in wisdom and strength and, come through faith to the fullness of your Grace.
May God bless these parents and godparents and give them grace to love and care for their child. May God give them wisdom, patience and faith, and help them to provide for [Child]'s needs.
Eternal Father, we thank you for love that binds the families that are here today, and we ask your blessing on them.
Heavenly Father, bless the home of this child, may it provide shelter, warmth and security to the family and to all those who visit.
All this we ask in Jesus's name, Amen.
Closing
[Child], today we officially welcome you. We wish you long life and much happiness. May you face all challenges that come to you as a person of integrity,
May you continue to bring great joy to your parents, your grandparents, family, friends, and to all those who come to know you.
(The following may be replaced with well-wishes from the Christening attendants)
May beauty delight you and happiness uplift you, May wonder fulfill you and love surround you. May your step be steady and your arm be strong, May your heart be peaceful and your word be true. May you seek to learn, may you learn to live. May you live to love, and may you love - always.
Benediction
May the Lord bless and watch over you.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always.
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