what is a christening

A christening is a religious ceremony in the Christian church that welcomes someone, typically a baby, into the church through the ritual of baptism. During a christening, water is sprinkled or poured over the baby's head as a symbolic act of spiritual cleansing and rebirth. It marks the initiation into the Christian community and is seen as removing the original sin. Christenings are often conducted by priests or vicars in churches and include giving the child a Christian name and the appointment of godparents to help guide the child's faith and life. The ceremony is both a celebration and a commitment for the child and their family to begin a journey of faith together. Simply put, a christening is the rite of baptism for infants in many Christian traditions, combining baptism with the naming ceremony and the welcoming into the church family. It is regarded as an important sacrament and a significant event for both the child and the family.