During the week before my daughter’s baptism, I read through this wonderful little book our church gives to all parents whose children will be baptized here: The Baptism of Your Child by Thomas and Carla Fast. I was first given this book before the baptism of my third child. Admittedly, I never got around to reading it as I was very overwhelmed last time between his birth and his baptism, and, shamefully, I thought I knew what I needed to know. Now, I am so glad that I decided to open up this book and take the time to see what it (and my church through this book) has to offer.

The Baptism of Your Child offers new parents a few things. First, it includes portions of the Small Catechism on Baptism along with some extra instruction on this sacrament. Next, it goes through the order of service for Baptism, going through what will happen at each point and explaining what it means for you, your child, and the congregation. Then, the authors speak on what this new baptismal life should look like for your family, specifically offering suggestions for the first couple of years of life. They offer ways to incorporate reminders of their baptism and strengthen their faith in their day-to-day life. I found this section particularly helpful. They suggested reminding them of their baptism at bathtime, placing a cross or crucifix above their beds, hanging their baptismal certificate in their room, and learning hymns with your child. Finally, the authors included a section on the family altar. This section stressed the importance of having a regular time and place to do catechesis with your family as well as having set apart things (such as hymnals, a cross, a candle, etc) to highlight this set-apart time of devotion and learning for your family. They also include the morning and evening prayers for families found in our hymnal (and an abbreviated version in the My First Hymnal, which is great for young children!) as well as other daily prayers, the creed, instructive scripture passages, and a handful of excellent baptismal hymns to learn with your family. Throughout the book, there are also pages for notetaking.

The Baptism of Your Child is a wonderful resource for any church. I think it would be perfect for church and home libraries, and as gifts for parents of children about to be baptized or who have already been baptized. It is a great catechetical resource for those who are new to the faith and for those who think they’ve read enough (looking at myself here). I will appreciate going back to this book for reminders and ideas for my family’s devotional life, and I look forward to going through it with my children as they get older. I hope you also will pick up this book for your church and your home. May it be as helpful to you as it is to us!

Blessings to you and yours,

~Madelyn Rose Craig