The Christening – 3 February 2020

Here a young woman stands holding her child in a church. The woman is dressed in her best, which includes a fine lace cap. The shawl, which covers her shoulders and the baby in her arms, includes a tassel, which hangs down her back. Nothing of her child can be seen, save for a white christening robe. There is a sprig of new leaves and blossom in her cap, and another in her hand. Here new life is being celebrated, as she brings her child to God for baptism.

The picture is still and quiet. The woman gazes at her child with a mature and serious expression. Has she begun to pray? We are shown an uninterrupted moment of reflection, as a mother contemplates the future she wants for her child, one surrounded by the grace of God.

The church setting is plain with little ornament, here worship takes place in the Reformed tradition. There are rows of chairs, some with cushions to make them more comfortable. Around the sides are raised stalls, with Bibles and prayer books left ready for use. No other person can be seen, but the picture suggested that when the community gathers for worship this church would be full. The solidness of the place suggests the spiritual community that will support this mother and child.

The picture is ‘The Christening’ by George Hitchcock, born in America, but mostly active in Europe, notably in the Netherlands.

For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
 

For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
 

For each perfect gift of thine,
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flow’rs of earth and buds of heaven.
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
 

For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.
 

For thy church, that evermore
lifteth holy hands above,
offering up on every shore
her pure sacrifice of love;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

Folliot S. Pierpoint