Are Birthdays OK?

[Lotuspetal_uk]

I know this is a pretty dumb question but in light of the fact that I've just wasted 2 hours on the topic, can someone shed some light on the scriptural evidence in support or against acknowledging someone's birthday.

I've reached a point in my walk where I don't celebrate christmas, Easter is on its way out. But it was nice to spend the yesterday with my daughter mentioning to her about how I thanked G-d for 3 years ago when she came into my life and brought me so much sunshine.

Shalom and thanks

LP

[Tea]

I'm afraid that I can't help with scripture, (for or against for that matter), but if we regard children as a blessing from the Lord, what is wrong with marking the passage of time, and thanking G-d for their presence, and bestowing a blessing on them for the coming year. It doesn't need to be an extravagant affair, or anything. We mark and celebrate/commerate so many passages of time, I really don't understand what the fuss is concerning birthdays. I know one young lad that had grown up not celebrating birthdays, (the were pagan), and he did not know when he was born, let alone how old he was?? If the bible can give ages of people at certain events, obviously "someone" was keeping record of the passages of time.
Shalom
Tea

[Wags]

I remember reading somewhere that traditionally a child wasn't considered a year old until they had celebrated their first Passover and that all ages were based on how many Passovers had been celebrated. (sort of like all race horses have the same birthday of Jan 1st). Because my daughter was born just after passover and the following year Passover was later than usual she was actually more than a year old before celebrating her first Passover this year.

In many countries the date of birth isn't remembered, and many times the year isn't either, unless something noteworthy occured. So you might know that you were born the summer after the big flood. But not the actual day or year.

The only passages in scripture connected to birthdays are about wicked kings and someone ends up dead - like John the Baptist.

[visionary]

They were keeping record or how would they know when a young fellow is 12 years of age? How would they know of Yeshua as a man of aage to enter into the ministry at 30? I think there was some sense of celebration of the passage from new born to baby ... eigth day anyway for the boys.... to baby to younster at the first year of life.... then 13th year when declared a man.

[Tea]

Yes Wags, I acknowledge that there are recorded some dreadful events that occured on birthdays, but then dreadful events have happened on Passover too, and that doesn't make Passover the evil "event" just the happenings that occured on that day.
I hope I am making sense.
Tea

[Lotuspetal_uk]

Thanks you guys! :thumbsup:

I'll admit that I'm at a point where I have a special day with my daughter and recount to her how she got her name (G-d's Gift), how she means alot to me and how I thank G-d that she is here. But although we did do a cake this year we didn't need to.... her highlight for the whole day was feeding the geese at the local lake and seeing my nerves increase when we were surrounded by them - silent, mafia style, before my courage gave way and we made for a hasty retreat. :D

[HaNotsri]

I don't have a problem celebrating birthdays...mine is TODAY :D

[Sephania]

I remember reading somewhere that traditionally a child wasn't considered a year old until they had celebrated their first Passover and that all ages were based on how many Passovers had been celebrated. (sort of like all race horses have the same birthday of Jan 1st). Because my daughter was born just after passover and the following year Passover was later than usual she was actually more than a year old before celebrating her first Passover this year.

In many countries the date of birth isn't remembered, and many times the year isn't either, unless something noteworthy occured. So you might know that you were born the summer after the big flood. But not the actual day or year.

The only passages in scripture connected to birthdays are about wicked kings and someone ends up dead - like John the Baptist. That would be in the Brit Chadasha, but there is one in the Torah, Pharaohs Birthday, when he had the Bakers head chopped off.
Since both of these are heathen celebrants , so we do have a precedent of Birthdays being mentioned in the Word, both once in the Tenakh and once in the Brit Chadasha but have no referrence to birthdays of any of Israel we must draw our conclusions from that.


I see nothing wrong with spending the day with your child, giving them your full attention, and telling them about the day they came into the world and what a gift from G-d they are to you, but as far as the cakes and decorations, the presents, etc, I think that misses the point. Instead of presents why not plant a tree? Otherwise I believe it makes one self-centered, not a G-dly trait.

:)

[Vaneeza Malkah]

That would be in the Brit Chadasha, but there is one in the Torah, Pharaohs Birthday, when he had the Bakers head chopped off.
Since both of these are heathen celebrants , so we do have a precedent of Birthdays being mentioned in the Word, both once in the Tenakh and once in the Brit Chadasha but have no referrence to birthdays of any of Israel we must draw our conclusions from that.


I see nothing wrong with spending the day with your child, giving them your full attention, and telling them about the day they came into the world and what a gift from G-d they are to you, but as far as the cakes and decorations, the presents, etc, I think that misses the point. Instead of presents why not plant a tree? Otherwise I believe it makes one self-centered, not a G-dly trait.

:)

agreed! plus the emphasis of birthdays in pagan ritual makes me wonder. I know my hebrew "birthday" as well as gregorian, but I feel counting my birth day on the gregorian calendar only ties me more to it when I should be focusing on the hebrew calendar (perhaps karite).

[Lotuspetal_uk]

That would be in the Brit Chadasha, but there is one in the Torah, Pharaohs Birthday, when he had the Bakers head chopped off.
Since both of these are heathen celebrants , so we do have a precedent of Birthdays being mentioned in the Word, both once in the Tenakh and once in the Brit Chadasha but have no referrence to birthdays of any of Israel we must draw our conclusions from that.


I see nothing wrong with spending the day with your child, giving them your full attention, and telling them about the day they came into the world and what a gift from G-d they are to you, but as far as the cakes and decorations, the presents, etc, I think that misses the point. Instead of presents why not plant a tree? Otherwise I believe it makes one self-centered, not a G-dly trait.

:)

Shalom Zayit,

Thank you, some wise words. After the visit to the lake, I'd noticed that when we went down to my mother's house I witnessed some traits in my daughter that I didn't like. Being an only child I realise that my little one is a bit ego-centric but it came out full force when she saw my family with all their gifts - I guess this was why I'd felt convicted.

It looks like I'm walking in the right direction on this issue, praise G-d. :)

[plum]

I feel I would like to gently caution anyone taking this line of thinking to be careful when making decisions about it. Remember, our battle isn't just against the wrong in the world, but also against legalism and heartless observance. We are to be disciples of Yeshua and we are already light and salt to the earth. Let's not forget our purpose is not only to be "less worldly" but also to reach the lost and tell the good news about Messiah through hands-on love to others.

:thumbsup: Be true to G-d always and let Him show you the way to closer whole-hearted service and relationship with Him!

It's great to see my MJ family seeking more of G-d all the time. :hug:

[Sephania]

Shalom Zayit,

Thank you, some wise words. After the visit to the lake, I'd noticed that when we went down to my mother's house I witnessed some traits in my daughter that I didn't like. Being an only child I realise that my little one is a bit ego-centric but it came out full force when she saw my family with all their gifts - I guess this was why I'd felt convicted.

It looks like I'm walking in the right direction on this issue, praise G-d. :):)

[Sephania]

I feel I would like to gently caution anyone taking this line of thinking to be careful when making decisions about it. Remember, our battle isn't just against the wrong in the world, but also against legalism and heartless observance. We are to be disciples of Yeshua and we are already light and salt to the earth. Let's not forget our purpose is not only to be "less worldly" but also to reach the lost and tell the good news about Messiah through hands-on love to others.

:thumbsup: Be true to G-d always and let Him show you the way to closer whole-hearted service and relationship with Him!

It's great to see my MJ family seeking more of G-d all the time. :hug: What "line of thinking" are you cautioning against missju? What does raising our children in the way they should go concerning birthdays have to do with reaching the lost? I am not sure what you are saying or cautioning against. :scratch:

[jgonz]

I have a similar opinion to the rest of you~ birthdays are ok, but just don't go overboard. I know sooooo many families who practically go into debt just to throw the best birthday party in the world for their little child, and then try to make other parents feel guilty for not doing the same for their own child. And here in El Paso it's far worse, with all the Mexican influence and ways of doing things.

We've been looked at strangely ever since our first was born (23 yrs ago) because we never throw big parties. We do a family dinner, cake (or pie), and a few presents (mostly from relatives who live really far away). Simple and straightforward. :)

[Vaneeza Malkah]

We've been looked at strangely ever since our first was born (23 yrs ago) because we never throw big parties. We do a family dinner, cake (or pie), and a few presents (mostly from relatives who live really far away). Simple and straightforward. :)


:thumbsup: I think over here (USA) toys for kids are such a year-round thing that come birthday time there is such an over-indulgence in gifts and toys that there is so much toys the kids don't even play with half of them or truly appreciate them.

[Israeli]

Shalom Lotuspetal_uk,

I am Israeli, I have studied and lived full time in Jewish Bible colleges (yeshivot) in some of the most orthodox Jewish communities in Israel. I have also lived abroad for years.

Observant Jews do not celebrate birthdays. May Jews in Amreica do because of assimilation with gentile culture. The source of birthday celebrating is very pagan. I personally do not celebrate birthdays but there is no harm in celebrating birthdays in general. No one can judge you in this. No Jewish holy day is on Yeshua’s birthday or is symbolic of Yeshua’s birthday because it is a pagan practice and not Jewish. Yet the Jewish holy days are all about Yeshua.

I do not judge anyone who celebrates birthdays in general. The above is just for the record. FYI

Israel.

[Lotuspetal_uk]

Shalom Lotuspetal_uk,

I am Israeli, I have studied and lived full time in Jewish Bible colleges (yeshivot) in some of the most orthodox Jewish communities in Israel. I have also lived abroad for years.

Observant Jews do not celebrate birthdays. May Jews in Amreica do because of assimilation with gentile culture. The source of birthday celebrating is very pagan. I personally do not celebrate birthdays but there is no harm in celebrating birthdays in general. No one can judge you in this. No Jewish holy day is on Yeshua’s birthday or is symbolic of Yeshua’s birthday because it is a pagan practice and not Jewish. Yet the Jewish holy days are all about Yeshua.

I do not judge anyone who celebrates birthdays in general. The above is just for the record. FYI

Israel.

Shalom Israel, :wave:

Thanks for the info, I was wondering about that and your post seemed to answer this at the right time. :)