Wedding and Special Celebrations at Peace
{jcomments on}As Christians we are called to live as baptized people - those who have died with Christ and live for Christ. This is who we are. We are water-marked people that bear witness to the powerful grace of God through Jesus Christ. Therefore we should always remember our baptism and celebrate it in our lives. Here is a list of ideas to remember your baptism daily and on its anniversary. Feel free to add your own ideas at the bottom.
Remembering your baptism throughout the year:
- Use your baptismal napkin rings or napkins for the whole family on each of the baptismal festivals of the church (January-Baptism of our Lord, Spring-Easter, Summer-Pentecost, November-All Saints)
- Every time you enter or leave church dip your hands in the baptismal font and make the sign of the cross.
- In the shower or as you wash your face, say to yourself, “Baptized you have made me, baptized help me live” and make the sign of the cross.
Celebrating your baptismal anniversary:
- Light your baptismal candle and set out any baptismal mementos you received on the day of your baptism.
- Bake a baptismal birthday cake - how about a white cake with white frosting to remind you of the saints dressed in white in the book of Revelation.
- Look at pictures from your Baptismal day
- Call your baptismal sponsors
- Read through the baptismal service, reciting once again the vows and prayers that were said.
- Plan a special dinner with loved ones.
- Read one of the stories of Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 4, John 1).
- Make special napkin rings with a shell and the name of each person in the family. On their baptismal anniversary, use their ring. Or embroider napkins with a shell and the name of each individual.
- Invite your baptismal sponsors (Godparents) over for a special celebration. Include their names in your prayers.
- Color pictures of baptism candle, shell, holy water, holy spirit, John the Baptist, etc. during the day and display around the dinner table.
- Visit the church where you were baptized with someone who was there that day and ask them to share what they remember.
- Learn and sing a baptismal song. Maybe have a family baptismal song
- Place a small bowl of water on the table and invite everyone to dip a finger in the water. Make the sign of the cross on another’s forehead and say “Remember your baptism and be thankful.”
- Start a tradition of playing a special game on this day. It doesn’t necessarily have to be religious. Or go for a walk, treasure hunt, song time, etc.
- If it’s summer, maybe have a water fight that only ends when everyone is completely soaked. At the end flick a bit of water at each person and tell them they are special to God.
- Make white food for dinner and a white desert. White is a symbol of baptism because it reminds us of the white robes the saints wear in the book of Revelation.
- Start a family tradition of a special Baptismal dessert.
- Make a special toast with water, “Dying with Christ, we rise with Christ” or “new creations in Christ.”
- In England, it’s a tradition that godparents visit their god children on “New Year’s Day” and bring them a blessing and “Coventry cakes”. They are triangular, symbolizing the trinity. Here’s a recipe: http://bakingforbritain.blogspot.com/2007/01/coventry-godcakes.html
- Memorize an applicable bible verse. Maybe Matthew 5:16, 1 Peter 2:9-10, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 2:38, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:27.
- Older children can do a bible study, using a concordance about the verses referring to baptism.
