Baptism attire

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brimc

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I was born in the early 70’s. I and my younger brother (born a few years later) wore the same Christening gown. My infant son is about to be Christened and my mother wants him to wear the same gown as I and my brother wore. My dilemma is that I feel that the gown we wore was very feminine (lots of lace etc. - looks like a mini-wedding gown). It seems that now boys and girls are Baptized in outfits that are more gender specific (if you will). Now, I’m not trying to be overly macho or anything, I just want to do what’s appropriate in 2007. It seems like the typical outfit for boys consists of white knickers and a top and not necessarily a gown. As this is my first child, I want to do what’s appropriate (without offending my mother) by not putting my son in something that is now deemed inappropriate. The date is approaching fast. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
brimc said:
I was born in the early 70’s. I and my younger brother (born a few years later) wore the same Christening gown. My infant son is about to be Christened and my mother wants him to wear the same gown as I and my brother wore. My dilemma is that I feel that the gown we wore was very feminine (lots of lace etc. - looks like a mini-wedding gown). It seems that now boys and girls are Baptized in outfits that are more gender specific (if you will). Now, I’m not trying to be overly macho or anything, I just want to do what’s appropriate in 2007. It seems like the typical outfit for boys consists of white knickers and a top and not necessarily a gown. As this is my first child, I want to do what’s appropriate (without offending my mother) by not putting my son in something that is now deemed inappropriate. The date is approaching fast. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.
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I am involved in baptism minstry and I can tell you that most of the boys I have seen baptized over the years do wear the fancy dresses. Wear the heirloom dress. My kids all wore the same dress that my mom made.
 
brimc said:
I was born in the early 70’s. I and my younger brother (born a few years later) wore the same Christening gown. My infant son is about to be Christened and my mother wants him to wear the same gown as I and my brother wore. My dilemma is that I feel that the gown we wore was very feminine (lots of lace etc. - looks like a mini-wedding gown). It seems that now boys and girls are Baptized in outfits that are more gender specific (if you will). Now, I’m not trying to be overly macho or anything, I just want to do what’s appropriate in 2007. It seems like the typical outfit for boys consists of white knickers and a top and not necessarily a gown. As this is my first child, I want to do what’s appropriate (without offending my mother) by not putting my son in something that is now deemed inappropriate. The date is approaching fast. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.
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A Baptismal gown is most appropriate especially if it’s passed from generation to generation. Just don’t dress the child in it before the Baptism. It’s interesting that you call it a “wedding gown” in light of Matthew 22:11. Pay close attention to the words in the Baptismal rite when the white garment is presented.
 
Br. Rich SFO & Joannm:
Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut. I really do like the idea of passing the gown on through the generations - we just want to be sure that our son is appropriately dressed for the occasion - especially since he’ll be Baptized alongside several other babies. I can count on one hand how many Baptisms I’ve attended over the years so we’re a bit naive. But it seems like this is a non-issue. Thanks again.
-Bri
 
I love the fact that I was baptized in my father’s baptismal gown as were each of my siblings and some of my nieces and nephews. It was handed on to my oldest brother. His wife knows how to take care of such precious heirlooms. My father was born in 1908 and as far as I know it is still being worned for baptism.
 
Just don’t have your son immersed in it. if you are having an immersion baptism, the baby should wear nothing, then be dried and dressed in the baptismal gown.
 
I mentioned my bothers and sisters all wearing the same gown that belonged to my father. There are nine of us. I left out that I used the same gown for my own daughter.
A baptismal gown, whether new or heirloom, has more meaning than just a white suit–as I see it anyway.
 
I love the gowns for boys and girls! My children were baptized in the gown I wore. My dh was also baptized in a gown (although his family no longer has it) and he was baptized in a Methodist church. It is very traditional and so wonderful that you have an heirloom gown!
 
We baptised all our children (2 boys and 4 girls) in an heirloom gown–okay, actually only ds #1 was in THE heirloom gown, the others were baptised in the "replacment’ heirloom gown, lol. What happened to THE heirloom gown, you ask? Well…my ds, just a few weeks old, blew out his diaper right before the baptism :eek: Keep in mind this gown had been used by all the Great Uncles and Aunt and their children and was starting over with all the great grand children and we ruined it :o Thankfully Great Granny understood and bought a new one to pass around. It’s currently stored in our closet and it makes me nervous everytime I see it 😛

Use the heirloom gown, it creates family memories and a connection to family!!

Jennifer
 
Thanks for the replies. I left out that my niece was Baptized 8 years ago in this same gown - the one that I (her Godfather) and her father wore. It makes sense that the second grandchild in the family - whether boy or girl - would wear it as well. And this is not full immersion.
 
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