A retro fashion statement at Grace on Sunday?

Newly baptized Xavier Ian Javon Cooper, in the arms
of Mother Joyce Scheyer, being welcomed by his new
church family.

Xavier, in his christening gown, with his mother
Celeste and his grandparents Denise
and Michael Simmons before the high altar.
(Thank you Denise, for the better snap.)

We had a baptism at Grace Church on Sunday.

Xavier Ian Javon Cooper was welcomed into the family of God by the congregation of Grace Church and his family.

Xavier is the son of Celeste Simmons and her husband Michael Cooper. Celeste is the daughter of my longtime church friends Denise and Michael Simmons.

For the baptism itself, Xavier and his family processed from the front rows of pews to the baptismal font which is situated near the church's entrance, following the lead of the Mother Joyce Scheyer and Deacon Ted Moore, while the congregation sang "Amazing Grace".

I was struck as the procession passed by my pew and I noticed that Xavier was literally gowned in a christening gown.

I had not seen one in dogs years -- a full length gown, much longer than his tiny body, snowy white, and never to be worn again.

A very old-fashioned custom, I said to myself.

Thinking to chastise myself for letting my mind wander (as it seems to do so often) at this solemn moment, I was reminded why white is worn at all at baptism.

It is actually an ancient custom.

Those desiring baptism prepared (sometimes for up to two years) before the great Easter Vigil at which the catechumens were finally baptized and partook of their very first Eucharist. (In the Orthodox tradition, infants are given their first communion immediately after being baptized, with a bit of the wine and bread offered on a spoon.)

These baptized men and women were clothed in white robes. The christening gown in some respects recalls this ancient tradition.

Anglicans were never big fans of the idea of baptism being reserved for adults only, always practicing -- along with the vast majority of Christian churches -- infant baptism.

In infant baptism, the congregation and the parents and godparents pledge solemn vows (on behalf of the child) of renunciation of the Devil and his ways, fidelity to the church and its life, promising to raise the child in the family of faith, and reaffirming the earliest creed of the church (the Apostles Creed).

Something amazing to behold in a society like ours (so consumed with stuff and the here and now) -- to be "joining with the company of heaven" in celebrating an event of incorporation into a union with those of every age and every place who have gone before.

Church is the place where heaven and earth meet. Every Sunday.

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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