Role Of God Mother

The birth of a child is a wonderful event for the whole family. When the time comes to Christen the child - that is, to receive her into the Christian faith - it follows that a Christening is a major event that calls for a veritable celebration afterwards!

If you have had a new birth in your family recently, you may have had the honour of being asked to be the child's godmother. We all know it is considered a great honour to be asked. But what does the role entail exactly?

Traditionally - and we're talking 18th century here - the Godmother 's main task was to promise to care for the child should the parents die or become otherwise incapable of bringing her up (remember, illness was far more common in those days; and people didn't live as long as they do today). Times were harsh then; and becoming an orphan was no picnic (is it ever?).

So the Godmother would be a kind of safety net for the child, as well as peace of mind for the parents.

Nowadays, things have got far more legally aware. Arrangements are legally binding. Today, parents can appoint a legal guardian in their wills to care for their child should they die. Obviously, the chosen party must agree to take on this not inconsiderable responsibility before things are written in stone.

Being a 'God' Mother, as the title of the role suggests, literally involves ensuring that the child is brought up in the Christian religious faith, and believing in God, the Father, Jesus the Son and the HOly Spirit.

At a child's Christening (or 'Christ'ening), the Godmother promises to repent of sins, to renounce evil and to turn to Christ. The vows are spoken in front of the congregation, the members of which act as informal witnesses.

The Godmother should follow this throuh through by being there for the child, ensuring she understands what being a Christian means. The child should look up to her Godmother as someone who sets an example. Consequently, the Godmother must show her Godchild how to love and respect others, and to prey to God for His guidance should the course of their young life ever get difficult.

Traditionall, the Godmother buys the child a meaningful Christening gift to establish her role in the child's life. Therefore, it follows such gifts should be chosen carefully. After all, it it not every day we are asked to take on a blessed responsibility as great as this!

The imagery of the silver spoon goes back to the days of the Apostle's, and has stood the test of time as a popular Christening gift .

A little silver cross or child's bible is equally symbolic of the religious connotations enveloped within a Christening gift.
In fact, such gifts are likely to be treasured throughout the child's life.

Another key role of the Godmother is to be confidante and friend to the child. This is a privilege in its own right; and one not to be cast aside. Godmothers should live in the vicinity of the child, and see her regularly. If this is strategically impossible, however - for instance, your Godchild could well live in Australia - it is vitally important to let your Godchild know that you are indeed her Godmother, and that you are there for her - whether it be on the other end of an Internet connection, or at the opposite end of her street.

It has to be said, the role of Godmother is one of infinite enjoyment! Loving a child that knows you have a special status in her life is a double joy. Spoiling her (in a nice way, of course - her parents wouldn't thank you for giving her her own way on every single whim - however tempting that proposition might prove), receiving loads of love in return (yes this 'job' does have rewards far greater than monetary), and spending time in her company are all privileges of this position.

So what qualities do you need to get this most covetable of jobs? The obvious answer is religious faith. You don't have to be a religious nut, but simply believe in God and his goodness and have a genuine wish to treat others how you would wish to be treated yourself.

We all know children learn by example. It follows that a Godmother must show her Godchild the way, until she reaches such an age that she becomes an adult herself, and can make her own discisions.

She will probably have children of her own some day.And then the effort you put in with her as a child will reap new rewards as a new life begins.

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