What were your accomplishments at age 1? Maybe you learned a few words, took a couple of steps, or ate a piece of solid food. At any rate, 12 months into life and it’s time to celebrate. Mom and Dad organize a grandiose party to commemorate you for all you’ve done. There’s an elaborate cake, balloons, decorations, guests and, of course, gifts. All for you. It’s your special day.
Seems a bit ridiculous right? Most likely, you can’t even remember what was happening at your first birthday.
Now take a look at some other significant years in your life—18, 25, 53, 71. You’ve achieved more, experienced success in your occupation, you’ve gotten married, raised a family—perhaps now it is justified having a birthday party to commemorate you for all your great accomplishments? Nope.
Why Not?
Should a true Christian celebrate birthdays? Critics may argue there is nothing wrong with a birthday celebration. “It’s just a nice way to acknowledge another year of life,” they might say.
The Bible doesn’t mention much about celebrating the date of one’s birth. In fact, the few biblical accounts where a birthday celebration is mentioned, it is associated with a pretty gruesome event. In Genesis 40:20, you can read about Pharaoh celebrating his birthday by hanging his chief baker. On Herod’s birthday, he actually gave a gift to the daughter of Herodias—the head of John the Baptist (Mark 6:21-29).
Society glorifies birthday celebrations, but as a student of the Bible, you won’t be able to find any account that portrays a birthday celebration in the same light.
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