As I looked at the calendar to check the date of my next blog entry, I noticed it fell on the love of my life’s birthday. What’s more, moving a day or so, the days were covered by the birthdays of people I love and who love me. Wow! Thanks be to God! 
What does the Bible say about birthdays, I wondered? A little research left me a bit dismayed. The popular theme which popped up in my casual search was: “Is it OK to celebrate your birthday?” (Lights darken, a deep voice says, “What does the Bible say?” – cue ominous music …) The only two birthday celebrations mentioned specifically in the Bible, said one site, were Pharaoh and Herod– two non-believers. This gives some the impression that birthday celebrations are “pagan rituals.” Another writer talked about Job’s concern about his children’s birthday celebration, and his cursing the day of his birth. Another suggests that the Bible features several righteous people cursing the day of their birth and the birthdays of righteous people are not mentioned, this site notes.

“Bah Humbug,” I say – quoting a writer whose story, A Christmas Carol, refers to the celebration of a righteous believer’s birthday clearly featured in the Bible – the birth of Jesus. I am overwhelmed by joy thinking of Jesus’s birth, and I shudder at the puritanical, hair-shirt, self-flagellating flavors of faith which try to make joy out to be a bad thing. My church is JOY, my life is joy, the birthdays of those I love are joy, and I am joy-filled by the grace of God, the giver of all good gifts.

I believe God delights in our joy. I believe it’s God’s gift– available every day, not just on birthdays. The Bible tells us God created us fearfully (that’s a good thing, by the way – like awe) and wonderfully, knowing us individually and planning for our good. Through Jesus, God gives us an opportunity for “rebirth,” and Martin Luther suggests we splash water on our face each day and remind ourselves of our baptism.

I am not saying that a Christian has to walk around with a smile painted on their face each moment. Neither do I believe they should be grim and joyless. Galatians 5: 22-23 tells us, “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.”

And Winnie the Pooh tells us:

“What day is it?” asked Pooh.

“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.

“My favorite day,” said Pooh.

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Happy Birthday Ed, Annie, and all my friends – including the ones I haven’t met yet.

Read Psalm 118, and remember: God loves you UNCONDITIONALLY! 

Mike

Today’s reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+118&version=NRSV