A baby baptism is a ceremony practiced by certain religious denominations. Keep in mind that while some people believe this type of ceremony is Biblical – the truth is that it is an extension of the bible, something that man created as a means of honoring God or publicly announcing/presenting the baby to God’s kingdom. However, the Bible says that the Kingdom already belongs to the little children, which is found in the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
The reason is that in God’s eyes, babies are pure. It is not until they are older or at an age of accountability when they would need to make their own decisions regarding God and the Bible. A baby baptism is typically held in a church where friends and family gather. The pastor of the church will bring the baby to the front, where he or she is shown to the congregation, received by “oohs” and “aahs”.
Scripture is read and the baby may be anointed with oil or sprinkled with water, depending on the denomination, and a prayer said over the child’s life. As you can imagine, a baby’s baptism is very symbolic, making it an emotional and significant time of the child’s life. If you want to have your baby baptized, you would want to dress the child in proper attire. Usually, the clothing of the baby would depend on the level of formality of the ceremony.
For instance, if the occasion would be formal, then a long baptismal or christening gown would be appropriate for both boy and girl. If the occasion is not as formal, then a little girl could wear a pure white dress and a little boy, a white sweater outfit or even white shorts and shirt. While some parents will dress the baby in color, white signifies purity, which is why it is the common choice.
In addition, the parents would dress for the occasion as well. In this instance, it is recommended that they wear softer colors rather than bold, vibrant colors. Jewelry should be kept to a minimum, only to keep the focus of the event on the baby and not mom and dad. After the baby’s baptism, it is common for the church to host a potluck or luncheon so everyone can continue the celebration of new life.