Are Birthday Celebrations Biblical?
Most people love birthdays. But some abstain from celebrating them—even Jesus’ birthday. What does the Bible have to say?
Can you guess the most recognized song in the English language? If you guessed “Happy Birthday to You,” you are correct! This popular tune (or some variation of it) is sung at birthday celebrations around the world. Many of us love birthdays so much that we enjoy them not only with our families but also at our schools, workplaces, hospitals, and even at church.
Do you have any birthday traditions in your family? The Herzigs do. When my wife, Alice, and I celebrate at our home, we greet the guest of honor with a “Happy Birthday” sign at the front door. The honoree sits in a chair decorated with balloons, eats a special meal and dessert of his or her choice, and listens to our family sing “Happy Birthday to You” while the birthday candles on the dessert are lit. Finally, everyone gathers around as the birthday guest opens gifts. Alice and I began these traditions 45 years ago with our daughter’s first birthday and have continued them with each of our grandchildren. Our celebrations are fun and memorable.
After commemorating our most recent family birthday, I wondered to myself, What does the Bible say about birthdays? I soon learned the answer: not much. Scripture records only two instances—one in each testament—in which they are celebrated. And neither one boded well for the God-fearing individuals (Joseph and John the Baptist) who intersected with them.
Pharaoh’s Feast
Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him (Gen. 40:20–23).
Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, was a pagan. His birthday celebration is the first listed in Scripture, and it included a feast. Joseph, the son of Jacob (whom the Lord named Israel), believed in the one true God yet spent years languishing in prison due to false charges leveled against him by the wife of Potiphar, Pharaoh’s official. While in prison, Joseph accurately interpreted the dream of his fellow prisoner, Pharaoh’s butler, who was elevated to his former position. Joseph made a deal with him to put in a good word with Pharaoh so he could get out of prison. However, the butler forgot; and Joseph remained incarcerated.
Herod’s Celebration
But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.” And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her (Mt. 14:6–9; cf. Mk. 6:21–29).
In Jesus’ day, another pagan, Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee, celebrated his birthday by watching his stepdaughter dance before him at his party. He was so impressed that he told her she could request anything. With her mother’s encouragement, she asked for John the Baptist’s head on a platter. Although Herod disliked the request, he kept his fateful promise and ordered Jesus’ relative killed.
Should Christians Celebrate Birthdays?
There is no mention in the Bible of any believers celebrating their birthdays—only two pagans. So, what should Christians think about this practice today?
Several religious groups either subdue or frown on such celebrations, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Amish, Old Order Mennonites, some Buddhists, and some orthodox Christians. While the Bible is silent concerning a special day celebrating one’s birth, it does provide guidance for such a practice. In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, he explained how we should regard special days:
One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks (Rom. 14:5–6).
God’s Word teaches us that esteeming a day is up to the conviction of each individual believer. But whether we celebrate or not, giving God thanks must be part of our day.
The church my wife attended growing up honored birthdays in Sunday school with a variation of “Happy Birthday to You,” sung to the same tune:
Happy birthday to you!
Only one will not do.
“Born again” means salvation.
How many have you?
Her church used the occasion to highlight the gospel. One birthday isn’t enough—one must be born again in the Spirit to live eternally with Christ (Jn. 3:5).
What About Jesus’ Birthday?
Speaking of birthdays, we are soon approaching “the most wonderful time of the year.” In light of this occasion, perhaps we should ask, Should Christians celebrate Christmas?
I did not grow up pondering that question because I was raised in a Jewish home. We gave no thought to a day to remember Jesus’ birth. Yet, during those years, I loved the Christmas season. I had two weeks off from school. I saw and admired the colorful lights displayed in stores and homes. I enjoyed listening to the seasonal music, especially songs like “White Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and “The Christmas Song”—all composed by Jewish writers, by the way. College football bowl games kept me entertained. But best of all, on Christmas Day, I ate Chinese food and attended first-run movies at the only places that remained open for business on Christmas at that time. In fact, many Jewish people still enjoy that tradition today.
After I became a believer, I wondered how Jesus’ birth was celebrated. The Bible does not list the exact day Jesus was born, nor is there any record of the early church celebrating it in the book of Acts. The Christian church in Rome began celebrating Christmas on December 25 in the 4th century AD; and many believe it is patterned after the Roman festival of Saturnalia, a weeklong celebration marked by feasting and gift-giving, which often took place in late December. Additionally, the Roman festival of Sol Invictus, celebrating the sun god, was held on December 25. For this reason, some Christians choose not to observe Christmas.
A strong case can be made that the world uses Jesus’ birthday as an excuse to attend lavish parties, abuse alcohol, and obsess over receiving material gifts, none of which have anything to do with celebrating Jesus’ life or His mission to take upon Himself the sins of the world. If we celebrate in this way and with this attitude, we are not following Paul’s admonition to give God thanks and to do it as unto the Lord (Rom. 14:5–6).
On the other hand, many believers use Christmas for something far greater. They celebrate and thank the Lord for sending His Son to be born of a virgin in a manger in Bethlehem, live a sinless life, teach God’s truth, and fulfill Scripture as the Messiah of Israel and Savior of the world.
Now, that is a birthday worth celebrating!
