Baptism, Baby Blessing... what do you think?

[DMickey28]

Here is my idea. I am very excited about it but would like to hear opinions. I am putting on my rubber suit so I am ready for anything you have to say.

DH was Batpized in the Catholic Church, I was Baptized Protestant. We were not married in the church, rather on the beach in St. Thomas. We had a Minister. We are faithful and believe in God but do not belong to a church, we practice at home. We move around a lot which makes it difficult to find a good church only to up and leave again. I couldn't tell you specifically what religion/if any we practice, we practice our personal faith in God and Jesus Christ.

We are expecting our first child in April and my Best Friend just had the Baptism for her daughter on Sunday. It has me thinking about what we would do for our child.

Going to a church and having the Baptism seemed off to me. Like we would just end up picking a church and having family fly down here for something that "should" be done. I do want to do something though.

Here's my thought: DH and I, along with our family, would like to do a Baby Blessing Ceremony. The Bible does not Baptize infants and as a family we can do that once our child is older and can partake in the decision. We will give our baby the Blessing of God and the path to a faithful life. We would like to do this on the same beach that we were married and have the same Minister that married us do the blessing. At the same ceremony I would like to make it official that my brother and his fiance/wife will be the gaurdians/Godparents to our child should something happen to us. (We will also do a will that names them legally.) I know that Godparents/Gaurdians do not need to be the same person, the role theywill take in our child's life would combine them. We would like it to be a small family ceremony, we will go on a cruise to get to St. Thomas as that is what my family does, we did the same for our wedding. The whole week would be about celebrating the baby and our new family, with our family since we live in SE Florida and they are all in NE. We would do this in December of 2007, the baby would be about 7-8 months old at the time. Young enough to be more portable, old enough to take in the surroundings a bit and not be running around.

Please don't make this into Cruising with an infant... that is not negotiable. We will do it at some time... it's what our family does for a vacation and I have already done extensive research on cruising with an infant. The plus to the timing is that we live in S Florida so we can bring as much stuff with us on the ship as we need, without having to worry about flying it down as well!!

What do you think? I am so excited about the idea and wanted to share it!!

 

[noodleknitter]

I think it sounds lovely...but then, I've never visited the cruise boards!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

I think it is a great idea! DH and I have a similar situation and were trying to think of what to do. Good luck!

 

[AKLRULZ]

I personally love the idea. I don't really understand the precept of infant baptism as that is a choice one needs to make for themselves - your idea sounds really cool.

 

[Hedy]

Sounds great!

 

[juligrl]

A Blessing is definately the way to go and your idea sounds really neat!

 

[beckmrk04]

I think it sounds wonderful and very personal, unique to you and your family.

DH and I are kind of going back and forth on this issue too- although his whole family is Catholic and will expect a Baptism. So.... who knows.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

I think it sounds great!

I'm due about a week after you, and DH and I are trying to figure out the whole baptism thing for ourselves. We're both Methodist, so that isn't an issue, but we don't have a church we attend on a regular basis (I work Sundays....) His grandfather is a methodist minister, and did our wedding, DH's baptism, DFIL's baptism, etc, and we really want him to baptise the baby. Of course, he's 99 years old now, but he still preaches every week, is still teaching, etc. The only part of this that would be a problem is getting our whole family down to his grandfather. I think for their first grandchild, everyone will travel!

Anyways, I'm rambling I like your idea - go for it!

Jen

 

[helenabear]

I think that is a great idea!!! I think a Baby Blessing by the same minister would be a great way to go, especially since you don't have a home church at the moment. I think that will make it even more special.

 

[amy4bruce]

The trend today, according to what I've read recently, is to return to the idea of "home church." It hasn't been that long since it was common, and, through the Internet, it's becoming more popular.

That said, your idea is not only in tune with this, but sounds like an excellent idea, no matter what.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

This sounds like a lovely idea.
DH and I are both from Catholic backgrounds, although, neither of us are practicing Catholics. We are like you and your DH, we have our own personal relationship with God. Our children go to a Presbyterian pre-school. Can you tell we like to dabble in all faiths!
DH & I were married in the Catholic church and both our children were Baptized in the Catholic Church. Both were done out of respect for our parents. We did however, want to have our children Baptized in the church to introduce them to the church and to announce that they are children of God.
Blessings to you and yours!

 

[dzorn]

Baptism is more than just a blessing, please consult a priest or even the minister that married you. The ceremony is quite similar in most Christian churches. I would suggest you actually have the baptism, the child can be confirmed later in life in any christian religion of his choosing.

Denise in MI

 

[dzorn]

I think it sounds great!

I'm due about a week after you, and DH and I are trying to figure out the whole baptism thing for ourselves. We're both Methodist, so that isn't an issue, but we don't have a church we attend on a regular basis (I work Sundays....) His grandfather is a methodist minister, and did our wedding, DH's baptism, DFIL's baptism, etc, and we really want him to baptise the baby. Of course, he's 99 years old now, but he still preaches every week, is still teaching, etc. The only part of this that would be a problem is getting our whole family down to his grandfather. I think for their first grandchild, everyone will travel!

Anyways, I'm rambling I like your idea - go for it!

Jen

Think of the family History. Being baptised by your great Grandfather. Don't for get to get a all generation picture.

Denise in MI

 

[JoyG]

Sounds like you're describing a baby dedication ceremony.

I'm Baptist and we don't believe that being baptized is essential for salvation, so we don't baptize children until they are old enough to choose for themselves.

When I had my twins it was after a long period of infertility and I truly viewed them as a gift from God.

More than that, I realized that they were not really "my" children but God's children that he had entrusted to me to raise for a short while. I felt like it was important that I make some sort of "promise" to God to take this job seriously and to raise them up to love Him as much as I do.

We chose to have the children dedicated in the church. A pastor conducted the service. I didn't have a home church at that time and used my mom's church, but I didn't find that to be a problem. I felt like this ceremony was really between me and God, not so much as me and a particular church.

The pastor said a few words and prayed over the children, I believe he might have annointed them with oil as well, I can't remember. We established who would be the God parents (those who would be responsible for leading my children to Christ if I am unable). And at the end we received a certificate of dedication.

Baby dedications are common in Baptist churches, although by no means required.

I think your ceremony sounds like a great idea and the location sounds great too!

 

[Lizzy2]

I think your plan sounds lovely and special. Just to expand on the last poster's thoughts, we too dedicate in our church but the spin is on the family and congregation. We all as a group pledge to help raise this child to believe in Jesus as his savior and to have understanding of what a Christian life entails. The child then is baptized when he is older and can decide for himself that he will indeed follow Jesus actively;its called the age of accountability and its up to each child individually to decide when their time has come. Some people don't do it until they are grown.
I know that some religions dictate baptism as method of ensuring the baby goes to heaven but we believe that would happen automatically for any little one.
Enjoy your precious one and your lovely trip. I think it sounds perfect!

 

[Ziva]

Sounds like a wonderful idea!