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Original poster

Christian baptism - what should little boys wear?

26 replies

AbiGilby · 24/05/2006 14:20

I was baptised as a baby and my Mum kept my gown. DS is going to be baptised soon (in the next two or three months) and I was wondering if he should wear my gown? DH was baptised as a baby too, but wore a little sailor suit, apparently. However, MIL didn’t keep it. What is right?

OP posts:
Xavielli · 24/05/2006 14:34

Me, my brothers and sisters were all baptised in the same gown. It is common for boys to be baptised in gowns.

In some denominations it is inportant for the baby to wear white... just go with what you feel comfortable with

zubb · 24/05/2006 14:37

All my 3 boys wore the same gown that I had worn. Dh wasn't sure at first, thinking they would look silly in a 'dress' but they looked great luckily as I didn't like any of the alternatives that I saw in teh shops.

MaryBS · 25/05/2006 07:45

I didn't have my little boy baptised in a gown. Its a matter of personal taste, I don't think it matters whether its a gown, sailor suit, or whatever you think looks smart.

I had an footless all-in-one suit that that looked like it was a velvet waistcoat/trousers with white cotton sleeves as if he was wearing a shirt underneath it.

foundintranslation · 25/05/2006 08:33

ds wore a little white velvet romper and top, and a white bonnet. We didn't have a gown in the family, but if we had done I would have put him in it - I think that tradition's lovely.

moondog · 25/05/2006 08:45

A baptism is Christian by definition.
Sounds like you need to learn what the whole point of the exercise really is.

CarolinaMoose · 25/05/2006 08:46

lol Moondog.

Gowns are for boys too, they are babies ffs.

threebob · 25/05/2006 08:47

Ds was almost year old and it was around 35 degrees so he wore shorts and a shirt.

tissy · 25/05/2006 09:07

moondog, behave!

AbiGilby, why don't you ask the priest/ vicar what is seen as "appropriate" in your church?IMO, what the child is wearing is completely irrelevant to the ceremony, so I do take moondog's point.

Bozza · 25/05/2006 09:10

My DS wore blue trousers and waistcoat and a white shirt. We had the christening gown that I and my sisters were baptised in but DH wasn't happy with him wearing it. DD wore it though. Smile

MaryBS · 25/05/2006 12:20

All I know is I have 4 grownup brothers and I know how THEY feel about their baptismal photos, in their gowns!

I agree the whole point is the baptism, but there's no need to get shirty with people who want their day to go 'nicely'.

ja9 · 25/05/2006 12:27

Ds wore a dark blue velvety suit from monsoon. Anything goes these days-from christening gown to dungarees - it's just whatever you want.

Original poster
AbiGilby · 25/05/2006 13:19

I must say Moondog, your aggressive response made me feel very defensive. I thought the policy of this site was to offer moral support! I know that baptism is Christian by definition, and I feel I understand what the “whole point of the exercise really is”. I’m not intending to get my DS christened just so I can have a nice little party and some pretty photos. I was confirmed later than traditional, as it took me some time to find Jesus, but as an adult I take my faith seriously. I think life is all about learning, and I know there is a lot I still need to learn. But don’t we all?

The post was about clothing, not an ethical discussion of the precise definitions of terminology.

Actually, I really feel like I don’t want to post on MN ever again. I don’t know who will shoot me down next.

OP posts:
Original poster
AbiGilby · 25/05/2006 13:19

I must say Moondog, your aggressive response made me feel very defensive. I thought the policy of this site was to offer moral support! I know that baptism is Christian by definition, and I feel I understand what the “whole point of the exercise really is”. I’m not intending to get my DS christened just so I can have a nice little party and some pretty photos. I was confirmed later than traditional, as it took me some time to find Jesus, but as an adult I take my faith seriously. I think life is all about learning, and I know there is a lot I still need to learn. But don’t we all?

The post was about clothing, not an ethical discussion of the precise definitions of terminology.

Actually, I really feel like I don’t want to post on MN ever again. I don’t know who will shoot me down next.

OP posts:
frogs · 25/05/2006 13:44

Abi, I think it depends on the age of the child and the tastes of the parents. Dd1 was baptised in a longish gown, actually a victorian baby's petticoat! because I found our family's proper baptismal gown too elaborate. Also she was 8 months and even the petticoat was a bit tight on her.

Ds was 14 months, so slightly beyond the age for gowns. He wore a little white linen sailor suit that a friend bought for him in France, and v. cute he looked too.

Dd2 was slightly younger, and I actually bought a dress for her, cos she's my last baby, we had a big party afterwards and I wanted to indulge myself by having her looking special for it. All were baptised in v. trad Catholic church, btw.

Moondog, I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to dress your child up for a particular occasion. I don't think you should judge someone's motives on their choice of clothing for their baby or themselves. Dressing up is one of the ways in which we mark the specialness of an important occasion, whether a wedding, a baptism, First Communion or graduation. Presumably you don't show up to weddings in your old jeans?

Abi, I hope the day is wonderful for you and your little one.

SaintGeorge · 25/05/2006 13:44

Baptise by definition means 'to immerse'. Yes it is mainly seen as a Christian ceremony but does not have to be.

It is not based on John the Baptist despite common belief, it is based on the old greek and latin words for immersion.

So nah!

tissy · 25/05/2006 13:46

in which case swimmies would be perfectly acceptableGrin

Original poster
AbiGilby · 25/05/2006 13:51

I really have been mulling over this whilst having my lunch. It’s put me right out of sorts.

I’ve read what Frogs and SaintGeorge have said (thanks guys, it made me feel better) but really feel I need to add this:

I appreciate that Moondog was probably only reacting to what she perceived as someone who was only interested in Church for the pretty ceremonies. But, surely having a surly attitude towards someone who clearly wants some involvement (albeit apparently limited) with the Church will only alienate them, and thus fail to bring them closer to God. Perhaps it is this type of attitude that is responsible for driving interested people away from congregations.

Should we not accept that some people do not know about Christian beliefs and practices, and seek to educate them, rather than patronise and insult them?

Just a thought!

OP posts:
SaintGeorge · 25/05/2006 13:56

I think moondog was referring to the thread title : "Christian Baptism - what..."

By putting both Christian and Baptism in the title it would infer, using moondog's definition of the word, that you need to understand the Christian Church better before worrying about which clothes to use.

By my definition of the word, you were just being specific about your religion.

Apologies to moondog if I have just spouted BS (as usual Grin)

moondog · 25/05/2006 14:01

Thank you St George
A voice of reason and no,you never spout bullshit.
Thank you also for your further point about the meaning of 'baptism'. May I now ask you what definition you are working on?? Smile

SaintGeorge · 25/05/2006 14:04

A big old dictionary I have at home that gives the original basis for words.

Can't tell you the name as it is so old the gold lettering has rubbed off the spine.

Most dictionaries will give immersion as a secondary definition. The word is so universally accepted in the Christian meaning that it tends to be the primary definition these days.

moondog · 25/05/2006 14:07

Yes,but what I am getting at is what basis??
Are we talking a word borrowed from another language or what??

(I note or rather think that you are a pagan and find your comments on less mainstream spiritual matters most interesting)

Am still using my Venetian blind think.In fact they could all do with a going over now but a blast of MN is more fun!

moondog · 25/05/2006 14:08

Ah,see ref. to Greek and Latin below...

SaintGeorge · 25/05/2006 14:11

Yes I'm Pagan, more specifically a witch.

I find all religions interesting and have looked into quite a few of them. I felt I could not truely find my own path without looking at the whole map IYKWIM.

tissy · 25/05/2006 14:41

apparently, not only Christians \link{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptism\baptise...}

tissy · 25/05/2006 14:49

...maybe moondog owes AbiGilby an apology on that point at least Smile