Christening is defined as: the ceremony of baptizing and naming a child.
Child Dedication is defined as: a ceremony in which believing parents, and sometimes entire families, make a commitment before the Lord to submit a child to God's will and to raise that child according to God's Word and God's ways.
By the above definition does this NEED to be done in public? Is there a NEED for this to be done in the church, in front of people that we don't know (or barely know)? Or is it just necessary to make the commitment? If the thought is to have the church (or people) hold you accountable to your promise to raise your child in a Christian household then why not just make the dedication (or promise) to those that you care about... family... friends... those that have a vested interest in seeing you raise your child right? Would it be the same to ask someone you know, say... a cousin, to personally hold you responsible for this instead of people you barely know? Chances are I'd be more likely to listen to the thoughts and opinions of someone I trust and love vice someone that I feel may just be judging me because they don't know me as well.
Just some thoughts about this that I'm having. Does the Bible say we are to dedicate our children? I must investigate... and pray about this...
On the same subject... are God Parents strictly a Catholic thing too? hmm....
Life is hard enough for my little guy... does he need to worry about this too?
Yes, christening is a Catholic thing. So is naming Godparents (As well as Lutheran, they are similar in that respect). The christening event is the public profession that the parents will bring the child up in the catholic faith. The protestant answer was the baby dedication.
ReplyDeleteIt's not necessary for the dedication of the baby to be public. A lot of families like the formality of it, and it is designed to ensure accountability. But biblically speaking, I *think* it would align more with God's will if we actually lived as we believe vs having a ceremony. A loving family of two that reads the Bible to their son each night warms God's heart more than the family that takes their child to church 7 days a week but doesn't read at home.
As for the accountability, you can find that in a trusted friend or family member, as long as they know that is their expectation. At our wedding, the pastor told the entire congregation it was expected of them that they would hold us accountable throughout our marriage, and I hope they do!
You'll do what's right for you, I know it. And we'll be there for you whether it's public or private. ;-)