Have you ever been to a baptism? It is one of the happiest days in all of a person's life. It is the day they become a Christian — a member of God's own family, the Church. Let us see how it happens.
In the middle of the church stands a big bowl of water, almost like a little pool. It is called the font. The priest blesses the water and prays over it, asking God to make it holy. Now it is no ordinary water — it is the water of new life.
Standing close by are the godparents. A godparent is a special grown-up who promises to help the new Christian know and love God all through their life. They hold the candle, and they speak the prayers, and they promise to follow Christ and to turn away from everything evil.
Then comes the most important moment of all.
The priest lifts the person — sometimes a tiny baby, sometimes a child, sometimes a grown-up — and gently lowers them down into the water three times. Each time he says the holy words: "The servant of God is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Three times, because God is the Holy Trinity. Going down into the water is like leaving the old life behind, and coming up again is like being born brand new — clean, and fresh, and shining, with all sins washed away. That is why we call it a new birth!
After the baptism, beautiful things follow.
The new Christian is dressed in a white robe, white as snow, to show that their soul is now pure and clean. They are given a cross to wear, to remember that they belong to Jesus forever.
Then the priest anoints them with holy oil called Chrism, touching their forehead, their eyes, their ears, their hands and feet, and saying, "The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit." This is called Chrismation, and it means the Holy Spirit now lives in them to help them all their life.
A lighted candle is placed in their hand, because they are now a child of the light. And very soon, they receive Holy Communion for the very first time.
So baptism is a day of great joy! It is the day a person is washed clean, filled with the Holy Spirit, and welcomed into the family of God. The angels in heaven rejoice, and so does everyone in the church.
If you have been baptized, then this wonderful thing has already happened to you. You belong to Jesus, and the Holy Spirit lives in you. And every time you make the sign of the Cross, you can remember the happy day you were born again as a child of God.
In Holy Baptism we are joined to Christ, washed clean, and made members of the Church. It is usually followed at once by Chrismation, the white robe, the cross, and first Holy Communion.