Contact your Church

• Contact the priest or minister at your church. Many churches require that parents take a baptism class before scheduling their baby's christening. This class, set of classes or private meeting with the priest or minister assures the priest or minister that you are indeed ready to lead your child into the church and prepares you for the ceremony proceedings so that you know what to expect when the day arrives.
  
  

Schedule the Date

• After you fulfill any prebaptism requirements, you are then free to schedule your baby's christening day. It's important to check with all of your friends and relatives, especially those from out of town, to determine what day will fit into everyone's schedule. Sometimes this can be a bit tricky, but it's important to include close relatives in this special celebration in your child's life.
  
  

Choose Godparents

• Godparents are special guardians for your child. They must be upstanding, religious people who will set a good example for your child. Ideally, a godparent should be someone who lives close by and can form a personal relationship with your child as he grows, but this is not necessary. Anyone whom you deem worthy of this title is appropriate as long as he agrees to take on this role.
  
  

Prepare for the Christening Day

• Prepare for the christening day itself. Your baby will need a christening gown to wear, which is customarily white in color. You need to send out invitations ahead of time to invite all of your close friends and family. It is also customary to have a party afterwards to celebrate this special occasion with everyone either in the church hall or back at your home.
  
  

The Ceremony

• When the day arrives, you and your spouse stand with your baby in her gown and with the baby's godparents at your side. The priest or minister will perform the christening by either sprinkling, pouring or immersing your baby in water while saying the words, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The ceremony will likely include other prayers, but once these words have been spoken as the water is poured over your baby, the christening is essentially over and the celebration can begin.