“There are two great days in a person’s life–the day they are born and the day they discover why.” —William Barclay (1907-1978), Scottish theologian, author, radio and television presenter
May is my birthday month, although my actual birthday isn’t until the end of the month. I like to spend the month doing little things to celebrate my birthday leading up to that actual big day. Many of the things I do, like going to a movie or eating at a favorite restaurant or buying myself a bouquet of flowers, are things I can do at any other time of the year, but they take on new meaning during my birthday month. They are all part of the celebration.
Perhaps you’re thinking that celebrating one’s birthday for an entire month is a bit, well, excessive. However, I’m not talking about doing anything necessarily out of the ordinary from what one does in any other month of the year. I suppose you could say it is about an attitude of gratefulness for having been given life in the first place.
I was surprised at the number of articles I found when I Googled “celebrating a birthday month,” but most of them came with a “to do” list of activities, and that’s not really why I celebrate my birthday all month long. I celebrate all month long as it leads up to the most important day of my existence, which is the same most important day of your own existence. We only have one day in which we were born, and that’s a rather big deal, don’t you think?
The opening statement in an article titled, “The Importance of Celebrating Birthdays,” by ABM College states:
It has been said that a birthday is just another day, why even celebrate it? On the contrary, a birthday signifies your beginning and the joy of life. Every human on earth has been given a chance to fulfill their own unique mission. A birthday is an important and momentous occasion not to be understated. It is a time to celebrate, reflect and give thanks.” (Quote source here.)
In an article published on January 6, 2019 titled, “Why Birthdays Should Be Celebrated,” posted on Holidappy.com and written by Margaret Minnicks, an online writer for many years, she writes:
A birthday is a day that comes once a year, and it should be celebrated for several reasons. A birthday is a time when a person acknowledges the anniversary of his or her birth. In most cultures, birthdays are celebrated in some of the same ways. Often, birthdays are celebrated with a gift, party, or some other special act. There are reasons birthdays should be celebrated.
Your Birth Was Your Beginning
Your birth was the beginning of your life. God created you to serve a purpose in this world. Every time when you have a birthday, it is an indication that you still have work to do for the Kingdom of God. Your birthday is a sign that you have another chance to fulfill your unique mission.
So a birthday is a momentous occasion, to be commemorated just as a nation commemorates its birth or as an organization celebrates its founding. A birthday is much more than an occasion to receive gifts. Your birthday is a chance to remember the day that a major event occurred, to celebrate and give thanks and to reflect upon how well you are still alive to celebrate the day you were born.
Celebrating Your Birthday Is an Expression of Thanks
A birthday is a time to celebrate birth itself. It is an expression of thanks to God for being born and still being alive. It is also an occasion to rethink your life. It is a great time to reflect on the past, evaluate your present and make plans for your future. It is a time when your past intersects with your present and future.
A Birthday Is a Chance for a Refresher
A birthday is not only a time to think about your birth, but your birthday is also a time to think about your rebirth. To recall your birth is to recall a new beginning. No matter how things went yesterday, or last year, you always have the capacity to try again. Your birthday is a refresher, a chance for regeneration; not just materially, but spiritually.
New Mercies on Your Birthday
To reach another year is an achievement to have lived another year.You have another year’s worth of blessings to thank God for. Think of how much of God’s air you have consumed during the year. Think of how many nights God allowed you to lie down and sleep and how many mornings He has awakened you with brand new mercies. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Acknowledge Your Existence
When you celebrate your birthday, you acknowledge your existence on this earth. No matter in what kind of family you were destined to be born, you are here to live your life to its fullest. Celebrating your birthday is a way to thank God that He allowed you to be born and to see another’s birthday.
Bond With People on Your Birthday
Birthday celebrations are great ways for your family and friends to bond with you, if they choose. Usually people make a special effort to be nice to you on your birthday. Birthday presents are good, but a wish that comes from the heart is worth all the presents in this world from those who love you. It truly is the thought that counts.
Celebration Ideas for Your Birthday
Birthday celebrations do not mean that you have to have a big party every year. Sometimes people do have parties to celebrate what they call “the big one” such as turning 30, 40, 50, 60, or 70. A simple dinner with your family or a few close friends usually is all it takes to make a person happy and feel appreciated. Greeting cards are always welcome as well as a telephone call.
So, celebrate your birthday each year. It is always good to be acknowledged that you exist in the earth. Receive it in good faith when others are willing to help you celebrate your birthday with you. (Quote source here.)
I came across the following “Birthday Prayer” (author unknown) which is a good way to end this post on celebrating birthdays:
Thank you, God, for giving me another year of life.
Thank you for all the people who remembered me today
by sending cards, and letters, gifts and good wishes.
Thank you for all the experiences of this past year;
for times of success which will always be happy memories,
for times of failure which reminded me
of my own weakness and of my need for you,
for times of joy when the sun was shining,
for times of sadness which drove me to you.
Forgive me for the hours I wasted,
for the chances I failed to take,
for the opportunities I missed this past year.
Help me in the days ahead to make this the best year yet,
and through it to bring good credit to myself,
happiness and pride to my loved ones,
and joy to you. Amen. (Quote source here.)
And Happy Birthday to any of you reading this post who might be celebrating a birthday soon. If it was not for our birthday, we would not even exist. That makes it a very important day, indeed!
And to everyone reading this post, I’ll end it with a blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV): The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you…
The Lord turn his face toward you . . .
And give you . . .
Peace . . .
YouTube Video: “Celebrate” by Kool and the Gang:
Sara's Reflections 