This weekend I accompanied my fiancée Katie to the christening of her Godson, Declan Heil. An afternoon I expected to be ripe for satire was actually a profound “religious” experience. No, I’m not ready to convert, but the ceremony reminded me of the tenet of my former religious practice that I miss the most – community.
Strip away the doctrinal aspects of the christening, and you’re left with a moving testament to the bond between family and friends. As Declan was held before the gathering of his parents, godparents, extended family and a collection of friends, each made a commitment before their God and each other to help raise the child. This commitment served as not only an affirmation of their elation at Declan’s birth, but also of their commitment to one another.
In an age when people manage relationships via texts, facebook messages and the occasional IM chat, the christening was a nice reminder that a deeper connection still exists in the hearts of family and friends.
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