A baptism ceremony is a joyous occasion for a religious Christian family to celebrate. While a person can have a baptism at any age, this sacrament is usually conducted when a baby is born or when a child is quite young. There are, of course, denominations (such as Baptists) that only perform baptisms on adults or older children, but the rite is still associated with a threshold of sorts. Once the baptized person has been baptized, they have entered into the fold. The baptism, whether by sprinkling holy water on the baptized person or by being immersed in holy water, is a forgiveness of the original sin. By doing this, a baptized person is saving themselves from damnation in the afterlife.
This special occasion is usually celebrated in a church setting and can include many different elements. Maybe a baptismal candle is involved, or maybe the godparents are invited to hold the baby while he or she is being baptized with holy water. Maybe the religious leader will read a text or make the sign of the cross. Whatever symbol of baptism the family wants to include, there are plenty of options out there that build upon the main content of a traditional baptism ceremony.
This year, though, many families have to think about more than just decor and stationery when planning a baptism ceremony. The more common concerns now have to do with keeping people comfortable in a group setting while the Delta variant of the coronavirus rips across the U.S. So, with that being said, let’s talk about a few ways that a baptism can be both celebratory and safe.
If possible, opt for an outdoor ceremony.
Plenty of religious communities across the United States have moved their ceremonies (from Bar Mitzvahs to Sunday Mass) outdoors, and the same can be done with a holy baptism ceremony. While this will require a certain amount of technical support from your church, the good news is that whoever is in charge of your ceremony probably has experience in this area by now. If possible, make use of an outdoor space that your church has nearby, or look for a public park that could be used for the event. Keeping everyone safe will be worth the extra logistics when it comes down to it.
Show your devotion to safety by making sure the church has clean air.
While it may not be a fun conversation to have, go ahead and ask your church leaders whether they’re making use of the latest in clean air technology to keep everyone safe. These days, there are so many great advances brought to us by various clean air technology center organizations, and if the church were to work with you on making air filters and other clean air technology options, you might be able to hold the ceremony indoors after all.
Make expectations clear when you send out your invites.
One way to make sure that you’re staying safe is to be very clear about it on your invitations. Once you’ve picked out the font on your stationery, make sure that it says very clearly that you will require either masks or vaccinations—if that’s your opinion of course. With vaccinations and mask-wearing remaining controversial, it’s good to be upfront about expectations and not to think that everyone is on the same page. This can save you a lot of stress and headaches.
Beyond all this, of course, take time to have fun planning the baptism ceremony. Pick out the perfect white garment, and choose a poem to read at the event. Make handmade items for guests to take home, and craft a guest book for everyone to sign. In the end, you’re making the light of the world that much brighter with this sacrament, and that’s the most beautiful thing that can be.