I’ve felt stuck writing in christening cards before – do you write ‘happy christening’? Nah, that doesn’t seem right. So what do you write in a christening card? Today I’ve gone back through all the christening cards my children have received and picked out the best and most heartfelt baptism messages to help you write a great message in your christening card.
A popular and touching message to include when writing in a christening card is “We are so happy to be celebrating your christening with you today”. Maybe also include a wish for their lives; like love, joy and faith. Make sure the message is from your heart, to create a truly meaningful christening card.
Jesus cut right to the core when he said:
“And don’t say anything you don’t mean…. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it, or saying, ‘God be with you,’ and not meaning it. You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true.”
Matthew 5:33-37 MSG
If you are a godparent, grandparent or close family there are some extra things you might want to share in your card to make it more personal. Let’s look at these separately in more detail.
Godparents: What to write in a baptism card to your godchild
A godparent has an extra special role in their godchild’s life. So you’ll want to take your time to add a bit more thought to your baptism card message.
The most touching message I’ve seen from a godparent was honest and heartfelt and had the following 3 elements:
1. How you feel about being chosen as godparent
Being asked to be a godparent is a big deal. Let your godchild and their parents know how you feel about being chosen for this special role. You might want to write something like:
“I’m honoured to be a godparent for you (“godchild’s name”).
2. What you plan to do as godparent
Have a think about what being a godparent means and how you plan to help your godchild in their life. You might want to write something like:
“I will always be here to support you in every way I can.”
Or you can be more specific if you like, but try not to promise something that you may not be able to do.
3. Statement of what you’ve found true about God
This short statement is based on experiences you’ve had with God.
Do you feel that God’s always had your back? Or have you felt his intense love for you? Let your godchild know that he will do the same and feels the same for them.
I feel this is a really important statement to include on your godchild’s card as your experience may help your godchild more than you know. The most treasured thing I received from my godfather was a note in my confirmation card. It was special because it was honest and heartfelt. I could feel the way he loved God by the honest way that he wrote.
You may need to dig deep to uncover how you truly feel.
Some possible statements might be:
“God loves you more than you know.”
or
“God will never let you down.”
I’ve found the most touching messages are honest and use real everyday words. So just write how you would speak it.
I am so honoured to be a godparent for you (insert name).
Love godparent
I will always be here to support you in everyway I can.
God will never let you down.
If you’re wondering exactly what is going to happen at the baptism I’ve written a detailed article about what godparents say and do at your godchild’s baptism (this is based on what happens in a Lutheran church, although other churches will be similar, they may also have slight differences)
Grandparents: Ideas for your grandchild’s baptism card
Grandparents have a special role in their grandchild’s life. They often cherish the baby and toddler years most of all (one of the most exhausting times for mothers) because they realise how quickly children grow up.
The main advice I would offer is to write as you would speak. Kind words from the heart are more meaningful and felt more deeply than hallmark type phrases, which although they are typically beautifully written, they are also often glossed over when read by the recipient as they don’t feel as personal.
You could maybe write something like:
“We are thrilled to celebrate with you all today, such a special day, (name’s) baptism!”
and maybe a wish for the child and parents as they navigate the wild ride ahead of growing up and parenting:
“May God guide you in your exciting life ahead, in both the ups and the downs.”
Use your own words in there so they can hear you speaking it to them through the card.
Any words of wisdom of your experience with God would be greatly received I’m sure.
Just write how you would normally speak it.
Aunties / Uncles: Suggestions for writing in your niece’s / nephew’s christening card
Aunties and uncles, this is such a special day to see your brother or sister christen their child, your niece/nephew. Maybe you have children of your own and maybe you don’t. If not then you may not have been involved in a baptism before, or not one that you remember. You may be wondering who to even write the card to? I’ve written an article about if you should write the card to the baby or parents, if you want to check it out.
I’ve looked through the cards from my brothers and sisters for our children’s baptisms and pulled out the best parts for you to use:
“We’re so happy to celebrate this wonderful day of your baptism with you”
“May God fill you with love and joy through the years ahead”
“We look forward to watching you grow in your faith”
Write what feels right to you. Be honest and write from the heart.
Family Friends: Ideas for writing in a christening card
We actually only invited family and godparents to the baptism of our children, but I did receive 2 cards from family friends regardless.
If you are invited to the baptism you might want to say write something like:
“We’re so happy to share this special day with you as (name) joins God’s family”
If you’re not invited to the baptism but still want to send a card you could write:
“Enjoy your day as a family celebrating the baptism of (name). Sending our love and best wishes.”
Including a Bible Verse in a Christening Card
To add extra meaning to your christening card you might like to include a bible verse. The most popular bible verse for christening cards that I’ve seen is:
“Let the children come to me; because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:14
This verse is so fitting for a christening card as it focuses especially on God’s love for children.
For more meaningful bible verse ideas for christening cards and baptism cards for teens and adults see the post I’ve written here.
Including a Christian Quote in a Christening Card
There was a short memorable tune we sang growing up around Christmas time with beautiful words that would be very fitting for a christening card. It was written by Aub Podlich and put to music and popularised by Robin Mann in 1983. It goes like this:
May the feet of God walk with you, and his hand hold you tight.
Aub Podlich
May the eye of God rest on you, and his ear hear your cry.
May the smile of God be for you, and his breath give you life.
May the Child of God grow in you, and his love bring you home.
Even just using a few lines in your christening card as a quote might add a really beautiful touch.
What to Write in a Christening Card if You’re Not Religious
If you don’t feel like you believe in God or agree with everything said and done at the christening you can still give your best wishes to the parents and child. You don’t need to and shouldn’t write something you don’t agree with or doesn’t make sense.
Here are some short, simple messages that aren’t religious that you could write in a christening card:
“So happy to celebrate with you today”
“May you be filled with love and happiness in the years ahead”
What Not to Write in a Christening Card
There are some words or phrases that I believe are best not written in a christening card. You may or may not agree, which is fine.
Steer clear of typical greeeting card words/phrases
A typical greeting card word is congratulations – I can’t quite put my finger on why this doesn’t seem right for a baptism. Maybe because often congratulations means you’ve done something well, but baptism is a gift – we’ve done nothing other than believe to receive it.
Also Happy baptism or happy christening – again not quite sure why this phrase doesn’t seem right. It does seem logical, like Happy Birthday, but for some reason doesn’t seem right on a christening card. I feel that ‘happy baptism’ isn’t enough for the significance of the event of baptism.
Use words that are understood by everyone
Any words that aren’t used much in every day life can be hard to decipher the meaning. Words like grace, mercy, bless I heard so much in church growing up, but only recently have I learnt what they actually mean. You want the child and parents to take your words to heart so just use everyday words that are easy for everyone to understand.
Use your own words and judgement and just be you when writing in the card. Write using your own words that you would normally speak and it will help create a really meaningful christening card that the child and parents will feel your love and true feelings seeping through.
