Christening/baptism hymns

[ghislaine]

We've a meeting soon with the priest to discuss the service for our son's christening. I've thinking about the hymns & music we could have. He'll be christened RC, my husband's faith, although I'm Presbyterian.

So far I have:

The Lord Bless You and Keep You (Rutter composition) (for the final blessing/doxology)
Now Thank We All Our God (I love the line "from our Mother's arms" which I think will be especially apt)
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Make me a channel of your Peace
O Happy Day
How Great Thou Art

I've also been flirting with the idea of having "Unto us a child is born" from the Messiah but am having the collywobbles over whether this might be sacrilegious.

We'll have access to professional singers so I'm not too bothered about the complexity of any piece. I know the hymns I've listed are not very similar and I don't want the service to be a musical showcase, these are just the hymns that have special meaning to me - the first two we had at our wedding.

Anyway - please suggest your favourites and inspire me!

I can tell you're not RC with those hyms!

We didn't have any hymns at my DCs baptisms (apparently that's typical for RC), but I think it's a lovely idea to have some.

I'm particularly liking O Happy Day.

I was at a Christening on Sunday funnily enough, where they had chosen 'Now thank We All Our God', but, last time I went to a Catholic Christening, there were no hymns . We are Methodists, and love a good sing, so my children were at the concept of sitting in Church for 45 mins with NO singing

I'd be suprised at hymns at an RC christeneing. Are you having a mass at the same time?

No, it's a separate ceremony.

But I think it should be fine. If the priest is happy to have a lesbian protestant minister participate and the venue is an ecumenical chapel, then hopefully he won't object to a bit of singing! We wanted something that would reflect our mixed faith family, and we've had some discussions already about we're were coming from & I think having some musical element is an aspect of that.

We had 'How Great Thou Art', 'One More Step Along the World I Go' and 'Will You Come and Follow Me' for both of our sons chirstenings and also for our wedding. We also had 'The Lord Bless Thee and Keep Thee' as the childrens blessing.
It's lovely to have all the family singing together, alomst everyone knew 'One More Step' and most knew 'How Great Thou Art'.

I love your choices.
:)

I don't see why you shouldn't choose Unto Us a Child is Born.

we've been asked to have that Rutter (by the priest) for DD's baptism - she wants us to sing it while she shows Eleanor off to the congregation.

For Rose's baptism we had "How great Thou art" and "If I were a butterfly" with all the children up front to do the actions.

aaawww :)

we're having Fight the Good Fight, Have you heard the Raindrops, One church one faith one lord, and holy holy holy because it's trinity sunday.
and communion anthem is

For audience participation especially if there are lots of children there "This little Light of Mine" or "Sing Hosanna" - both of which are truly joyful and celebratory of faith.