Definition: The day of
one’s birth or the anniversary of that day. In some places the
anniversary of one’s birth, especially that of a child, is celebrated
with a party and the giving of gifts. Not a Biblical practice.
Do Bible references to
birthday celebrations put them in a favorable light? The Bible makes
only two references to such celebrations:
Gen. 40:20-22:
“Now on the third day it turned out to be Pharaoh’s birthday, and he
proceeded to make a feast . . . Accordingly he returned the chief of the
cupbearers to his post of cupbearer . . . But the chief of the bakers
he hung up.”
Matt. 14:6-10:
“When Herod’s birthday was being celebrated the daughter of Herodias
danced at it and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to
give her whatever she asked.
Everything that is in the Bible is there for a reason. (2 Tim. 3:16, 17) Jehovah’s Witnesses take note that God’s Word reports unfavorably about birthday celebrations and so shun these.
How did early Christians and Jews of Bible times view birthday celebrations?
“The notion of a birthday festival was far from the ideas of the Christians of this period in general.”—The History of the Christian Religion and Church, During the Three First Centuries (New York, 1848), Augustus Neander (translated by Henry John Rose), p. 190.
“The later Hebrews looked on the
celebration of birthdays as a part of idolatrous worship, a view which
would be abundantly confirmed by what they saw of the common observances
associated with these days.”—The Imperial Bible-Dictionary (London, 1874), edited by Patrick Fairbairn, Vol. I, p. 225.
What is the origin of popular customs associated with birthday celebrations?
“The various customs with which
people today celebrate their birthdays have a long history. Their
origins lie in the realm of magic and religion. The customs of offering
congratulations, presenting gifts and celebrating—complete with lighted
candles—in ancient times were meant to protect the birthday celebrant
from the demons and to ensure his security for the coming year. . . .
Down to the fourth century Christianity rejected the birthday
celebration as a pagan custom.”—Schwäbische Zeitung (magazine supplement Zeit und Welt), April 3/4, 1981, p. 4.
“The Greeks believed that everyone had a protective spirit or daemon
who attended his birth and watched over him in life. This spirit had a
mystic relation with the god on whose birthday the individual was born.
The Romans also subscribed to this idea. . . . This notion was carried
down in human belief and is reflected in the guardian angel, the fairy
godmother and the patron saint. . . . The custom of lighted candles on
the cakes started with the Greeks. . . . Honey cakes round as the moon
and lit with tapers were placed on the temple altars of [Artemis]. . . .
Birthday candles, in folk belief, are endowed with special magic for
granting wishes. . . . Lighted tapers and sacrificial fires have had a
special mystic significance ever since man first set up altars to his
gods. The birthday candles are thus an honor and tribute to the birthday
child and bring good fortune. . . . Birthday greetings and wishes for
happiness are an intrinsic part of this holiday. . . . Originally the
idea was rooted in magic. . . . Birthday greetings have power for good
or ill because one is closer to the spirit world on this day.”—The Lore of Birthdays (New York, 1952), Ralph and Adelin Linton, pp. 8, 18-20.
Wholesome gatherings of family and friends at other times to eat, drink, and rejoice are not objectionable
Eccl. 3:12, 13:
“There is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good during
one’s life; and also that every man should eat and indeed drink and see
good for all his hard work. It is the gift of God.”
See also 1 Corinthians 10:31.
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