Celebrate birthdays

Many may not agree on what I’m about to discuss, but that is okay!

I will tell you at the end of this writing how I celebrate a birth date!

When Yahusha (Jesus) was born, there was much joy in heaven. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising Yahuah, and saying, Glory to Yahuah in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men,” (Luke 2:13-14).

While bringing forth a new life into the world is certainly a joy for the parents shared by others, the question arises, should we celebrate the anniversaries of one’s birth thereafter?

The day of birth is widely used by astrologers to read one’s horoscope. The word horoscope is defined as, “The aspect of the planets and stars at a given moment, such as the moment of one’s birth used by astrologers; an astrological forecast, as of a person’s future, based on a diagram of the aspect of the planets and stars,” American Heritage Dictionary.

We are made aware of the pagan practice of ascribing power or influence on a person’s life due to the position of the stars at the time of one’s birth. Astrologers allege celestial stars and planets exercise influence on one’s future! Almost every newspaper lists the daily horoscope for the signs of the zodiac. Modern astrology and horoscopes came from Babylon. “The ancient world of Egypt, Greece, Rome and Persia celebrated the birthdays of gods, kings, and nobles...

Although the ancient Israelites kept records of their male citizens, there is no evidence that they had any festivities on the anniversary of the birth date” (Encyclopaedia Americana 1991).

People believed in good and evil spirits, and being afraid that these spirits would cause harm to the birthday celebrant, he was surrounded by friends and relatives who good wishes and very presence would protect him against unknown dangers that the birthday held.

Now let us discuss the scripture……….

 Yahuah’s Word warns against taking up practices of heathen: “Thus says Yahuah, learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them” (Jeremiah 10:2).

More importantly, the Bible’s mention of birthday celebrations is not a happy one. The first is with Pharaoh of Egypt, Genesis 40:20-22. The cupbearer lived, but the baker was put to death at the birthday party.

Herod also celebrated his birthday, where John the Baptist was beheaded (Mark 6:21-28).

Some scholars contend that Job 1:4-5 and 18-19 tells of the death of Job’s offspring while celebrating a birthday, which is why Job offered sacrifices for his children.

Nowhere in the Bible are we commanded to celebrate birthdays.

The Bible says just the opposite: “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth” (Ecclesiastes 7:1).

Nowhere in the Bible do we find that the anniversary of the Saviour’s birth was celebrated.

We are, however, to observe Passover to remember His death - 1Corinthians 11:26.

We don’t observe Yahusha’s birth date as the world tries to do on December 25. Why, then, would we celebrate our own?

Yahuah’s people need to get with Yahuah’s programs and joyfully celebrate His seven commanded Feast days (Leviticus 23), thus preparing their hearts and minds and train for the coming Kingdom when these commanded times will all be observed by His sons and daughters - Isaiah 66:23.

My story….

I celebrate a birth date of my family by thanking my Heavenly Father for giving them another year here with us. I do not give presents or throw a party on their birth dates.

All my attention and celebration should be towards my Creator, which He requests me to do.

Think about this for a moment: How much celebration do so called believers give to Yahuah, compared to the celebration given towards a birthday? Many believers will make a huge effort in planning into celebrating a child’s birthday; spend huge amount of money and time on a person’s birthday. Does this same person make the same effort in giving all their attention in celebrating Yahuah? Compared to the child’s birthday, very little time is given in worshipping Yahuah.

So, this is my take on birthdays: If I cannot give all my time/celebration to Yahuah, then how can I give all my attention/celebration to all my families birth dates.