🙂 Happy end of the year 2022 and an excellent year 2023! Moudje hain wonder! Buongiorno miracle! May the LORD bless your hands, the work of your hands, and your city. May your attitude be like that of CHRIST (Philippians 2:5). It will not always be easy, but it will always be possible. "No one can lay a foundation other than the one that has been laid, namely JESUS CHRIST." ( 1 Corinthians 3:11). Upon you and your house declares that every reasoning and high thing rising up against the knowledge of the truth be overthrown ( 2 Corinthians 10:5). Amen!
Some words: anniversary, commemoration, feast, to rejoice, to celebrate.
GOD wants our sanctification: our commitment to walk in Love, Truth, and Holiness.
The birthday in Jewish culture.
The real questions are: What? Why? How?
You can choose another day (if this day coincides with an unfortunate incident, or if you prefer another day)
Answers to those who say that Christians should not celebrate birthdays
Those who say: because it is a tradition of pagan origin.
Those who say: because unfortunate events have occurred on the birthday celebrations mentioned in the Bible.
Those who say: because Jews did not celebrate the birthdays of the patriarchs (Abraham, Issac, Moses), of the Judges (e.g. Moses, Samuel), of the prophets (e.g. Isaiah and Ellie), of the kings (e.g. David).
Those who say: because JESUS did not celebrate his own birthday.
Those who say: because the early Church did not celebrate birthdays.
Those who say: because the early church did not celebrate JESUS' birthday.
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.
(Romans 14:5-6, NKJV)
But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
(1 Peter 1:15-16, NKJV)
3 He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our GOD. 4 Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. 5 Sing to the LORD with the harp, With the harp and the sound of a psalm, 6 With trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the LORD, the King.
(Psalm 98:3-6, NKJV)
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
(1 Corinthians 10:23, NKJV)
Leviticus 23:1-2, NKJV
1. Some words: anniversary, commemoration, feast, to rejoice, to celebrate.
An anniversary day is a day corresponding to the date on which an event occurred one or more years before. An anniversary is the commemoration of an event on the anniversary of the date it occurred. A commemoration is a ceremony to remember a person or an event. A party is a period of collective rejoicing organized to celebrate a person or an event. A birthday party is a party organized for a birthday, to celebrate a person or an event that occurred one or more years before. A birthday party can be held on the birthday or on a different date. The minimum number of people for a party is two.
To rejoice is to experience joy, pleasure, or great satisfaction. For many, celebrating means feasting, organizing a party, a feast, or a banquet with drinks and music. This is only one definition of this word. Celebrating is also praising, recognizing an accomplishment, or honoring someone or something. We can rejoice in an event without wanting to organize a party or go to a party organized for the occasion.
The French word tradition comes from the Latin « traditio, tradere », from trans « through » and dare « to give », « to pass on to another, to hand over ». According to its etymology, we can say that a tradition express « the fact of giving, of handing over, of transmitting through (time, generations) ». In dictionaries, tradition refers to a set of knowledge, interpretations, and practices transmitted from one generation to another. Traditions are transmitted orally, through the conservation or imitation of customs and behaviors.
A custom is a habit established by the use of a person, family, people, or social group. Customs are habits. Traditions are behaviors, actions and ways of doing things passed down through generations. A custom can become a tradition. A custom can be individual, but a tradition is transgenerational. Customs and traditions are nourished by beliefs, knowledge, ignorance, interpretations, experiences, resonances, and preferences.
For us Christians, the supreme authority is GOD and the perfect model is JESUS CHRIST (Hebrews 1:1-3). Therefore:
Our identity is in CHRIST and not in customs, traditions, or preferences.
We must choose what honors, celebrates, and reveals Him in Truth, Holiness, and Love.
We can replace one custom with another and make it a tradition.
We can reject any tradition that is contrary to the commandments of GOD
We can reject any tradition contrary to the values of the Kingdom
We can reject any tradition contrary to personal convictions approved by the LORD or personal recommendations received from the LORD
We can adopt and transmit any tradition in accordance with the commandments of GOD, the values of the Kingdom, the personal convictions approved by the LORD, and the personal recommendations received from the LORD.
2. GOD wants our sanctification: our commitment to walk in Love, Truth, and Holiness.
GOD does not forbid all parties. He forbids parties dedicated to demons (the gods of the pagans), parties during which people indulge in practices contrary to his recommendations, and parties during which the glory that is due to GOD is given to the creation. Beyond the pagan parties, he is against idolatry, syncretism, debauchery, and works of the flesh. He is against everything that is contrary to holiness, truth, and love.
GOD wants our sanctification. Our voluntary commitment, to run away from sin and to cling to what is holy according to his word. Our voluntary commitment to walk in love, truth, and holiness. This involves relying on the work of the cross, receiving the ministry of the HOLY SPIRIT, shunning sin, resisting the devil, and seeking that which contributes to peace and edification.
(1 Peter 1 :15-16, NKJV) _ " But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
(2 Corinthians 7 :1, Segond 21) _ "Since we have such promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles our bodies and spirits and let us pursue holiness in the fear of GOD to the end."
(Philippians 2:5, Segond 21) _ "Let your attitude be the same as that of JESUS CHRIST."
(Romans 6 : 22, Segond 21) _ " But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of GOD, your fruit is progress in holiness and your end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of GOD is eternal life in JESUS CHRIST our LORD. "
(Leviticus 20: 26, NIV) _ "You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own."
(Leviticus 20: 7, NIV) _ " Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your GOD."
(Leviticus 19: 1-2, NKJV) _ " And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your GOD am holy."
(Psalm 119:9, NKJV) _ " How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word."
(1 Thessalonicians 4:1-8, NKJV) _ " 1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the LORD JESUS that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please GOD; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the LORD JESUS. 3 For this is the will of GOD, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know GOD; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the LORD is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For GOD did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but GOD, who has also given us His HOLY SPIRIT. "
(1 Peter 2:9, NKJV) _ " But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
(Hebrews 12:14, NKJV) _ " Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the LORD. "
Hebrews 12:14 (Segond 21) _ " Seek peace with all men, and progress in holiness: without it no man shall see the LORD."
John 17:15-17 (NKJV) _ " Do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."
3. The birthday in Jewish culture.
In the time of JESUS, Jews did not celebrate birthdays. Having a birthday party is not a Jewish custom. It is common to hear rabbis say that they don't celebrate their birthdays. However, they never say that it is forbidden to do so. They acknowledge that birthday parties were a pagan tradition. But it is not why they don't celebrate birthdays. They don't celebrate birthdays because they don't have the desire or the conviction to do so 🙂 It's very easy to check, just do a search on the Torah broadcasting sites or send an email with your question.
For some, there is no point in celebrating a birthday because they don't know if they have fulfilled their mission on earth and what an example they have been for their descendants or community. For others, a person is doubly granted on his birthday. It is an ideal day for that person to receive words of blessing, to read the Torah, to pray for his family, his neighbor, and his city. In many schools, birthdays are posted in the classrooms, and children are encouraged to pray for each other on their birthdays.
Today, some Jewish families celebrate children's birthdays... but most adults do not celebrate their birthdays. When they do, it is because they want to mark a symbolic year or give thanks to GOD for a special grace.
For Jews, I would add, and for many Christians, the birthday is a day of gratitude and introspection. A day during which they give thanks to GOD, meditate on his Word, pray, etc... In a way, the one who gives thanks to GOD celebrates him because he recognizes what GOD has done and gives him glory. Some people donate to associations, visit orphanages, etc... I know a couple who fast and pray on their children's birthdays. Nowadays, more and more people (believers and non-believers) raise funds for associations and NGOs on their birthdays via social networks.
4. The real questions are: What? Why? How?
GOD does not forbid birthday celebrations. He forbids what is contrary to sanctification. There is no Bible verse that forbids birthday celebrations. We have the right to celebrate. We also have the right not to celebrate. Whatever we do, let's make sure we do it for the right reasons and in the right way 🙂 Making your birthday special does not require you to throw a party. Express your gratitude, according to the full conviction you have. Whatever you do, as long as you do it for the right reasons and in the right way, there's nothing wrong with it. The questions are:
What does celebrating your birthday mean to you?
What would you especially like to thank GOD for on this day?
What do you want to do on your birthday? Share your joy with others? Invite others to rejoice with you? Rest and sleep in? Have personal time with GOD or your loved ones? Did GOD give you a specific recommendation for this day?
Why do you want or not want to have a birthday party? Is the reason good or bad? Have you talked to GOD about it?
If you organize a party, considering the place, date, type of drink, style of music, and the way you dress, do you have the inner peace that it will not be an occasion of fall for someone close to you, under your responsibility or considering you as a model?
Throwing a party to impress your neighbors is not a good reason. Throwing a party because others are doing it is not a good reason. Throwing a party because you want to get presents, or more precisely because you want people to feel obliged to give you a present, is not a good reason. Throwing a party because you want to get a brother or sister's attention is not a good reason. It's not wrong to throw a party, buy a trip, jewelry, or a car. But going into debt to do so is. If you're going to throw a party, do it with what you have. Don't go into debt. Not throwing a party because it's not allowed is not a good reason. Pretending to be on a retreat on your birthday to look very spiritual is not a good reason.
Asking your loved ones (introverts) or the whole world (extroverts) to pray for you or declare words of blessing over you on your birthday is fine, but it's not necessary. You don't have to do what everyone else does. You don't have to adopt the traditions of others. You don't have to have candles on your birthday cake. You don't even have to have a birthday cake!
🙂 I confess I am against candles on cakes. I love cake and I make it often. But, I'm fine without a birthday cake. I almost never throw a party for my birthday. Even if I do, there are cakes, but not birthday cakes. For the record, in Africa and Asia, birthday parties without birthday cake don't shock anyone. What is a festive meal for some, is not necessarily for others.
What type of music will you allow the DJ to play? Clothing style is a form of expression. What will your outfit say? You are free to eat pork, but could you provide an alternative for those who don't? It's not bad to drink champagne with alcohol once in a while, but is it okay to do so in the presence of an alcoholic? Is it commendable to get drunk or wise to distribute alcohol in front of children? Alcohol is not essential, there are very good wines and champagnes without alcohol 🙂 I live in France, a country famous for its wines and gastronomy. Yes, and yes again, there are very good wines and very good champagnes without alcohol.
5. You can choose another day (if this day coincides with an unfortunate incident, or if you prefer another day)
You can celebrate your birthday on a different day than your birthday. If the day of your birth coincides with the anniversary of a sad or traumatic event for you, you can choose to celebrate your birthday on another date. For example, the anniversary of your meeting with JESUS, of your baptism by immersion, of the manifestation of your baptism, of the HOLY SPIRIT, etc.
6. Answers to those who say that Christians should not celebrate birthdays
🙂 When someone says that Christians should not celebrate or hold birthday parties, I ask them which verses they can support such a statement.
There is no verse in the Bible that prohibits the celebration of birthdays. To celebrate or not to celebrate a birthday is a personal choice. Let each one express his gratitude, according to the full conviction he has in his mind.
Let's read the Bible (Romans 14:5-6, NKJV) " 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. "
a. Those who say: because it is a tradition of pagan origin.
GOD is not against celebrations. He is against idolatry, syncretism, debauchery, and works of the flesh. He is against everything that is contrary to holiness, truth, and love.
Just because someone uses a knife to kill doesn't mean I can't use it to cook. Unless GOD forbids me to have a knife if I don't know how to use a knife or if using it now would put me or a loved one in danger (examples: shaky hands or baby in the arm).
Celebrating one's birthday is not glorifying the devil. It is our attitudes, words, and actions during celebrations that reveal CHRIST or glorify the devil.
b. Those who say: because unfortunate events have occurred on the birthday celebrations mentioned in the Bible.
Specifically, the hanging of the chief baker during the birthday celebrations of the Pharaoh in Joseph's time (Genesis 40:20-22) and the beheading of John the Baptist during the birthday party of King Herod (Matthew 14:3-12, Mark 6:21-29).
Faith is based on GOD. Superstitions are based on unfounded fears of an event. Not celebrating your birthday because of the fear that something bad might happen on that day is superstition. Every day people are born and die. Every day is the birthday of thousands of people in the world. Every day, thousands of people celebrate their birthdays. Pagans celebrated their birthdays on the day of JESUS' resurrection, but this did not prevent him from resurrecting.
They were killed by men, not by birthday parties. They were killed during birthday celebrations, but it was neither the birthday of one nor the other.
My days are in the hands of the LORD. Whether I live long or short, whether my death is sudden or not, whether my death is violent or not, I have the firm assurance and conviction that my life is in his hands.
c. Those who say: because Jews did not celebrate the birthdays of the patriarchs (Abraham, Issac, Moses), of the Judges (e.g. Moses, Samuel), of the prophets (e.g. Isaiah and Ellie), of the kings (e.g. David).
There is no biblical reason to celebrate the birthday of a deceased person. Besides, how is not celebrating Abraham's birthday a reason not to celebrate one's own birthday or that of a loved one?
GOD asks us to honor the living (Philippians 2:29) and to imitate those who by faith and perseverance have inherited and are inheriting his promises (Hebrews 6:12, Hebrews 11:1-40). He also asks us to learn from the past and not to repeat the mistakes of those who went before us (1 Corinthians 10:6).
We celebrate GOD for their testimony and for what he has done through them. But even if we could choose the anniversary of their birth to thank GOD, the celebration would be for GOD and not for the dead.
d. Those who say: because JESUS did not celebrate his own birthday.
JESUS is eternal, he is GOD (read the article). GOD has no beginning and no end. GOD exists outside of time. GOD is eternal. GOD has no birthday.
Each believer is free to mark his affection and gratitude on a specific day.
As I wrote in the first part, GOD does not forbid parties. He does forbid participation in pagan feasts: parties dedicated to demons (the gods of the pagans), parties in which people engage in practices contrary to his recommendations, parties in which the glory that is due to GOD is given to the creation (men, animals, objects, chance, etc.).
e. Those who say: because the early Church did not celebrate birthdays.
We all agree that the Bible is the Word of GOD, inspired by GOD and written by men.
Let's read Romans 14:5-6 (NKJV) " 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."
Who wrote the verse we just read? => answer: the apostle Paul.
Was the Apostle Paul a member of the early church? = > Answer: yes.
Conclusion: let each one express his gratitude according to the conviction that he has.
The Bible is the word of GOD, revealed through the history of the Jewish people and the Jewish culture. The authority is the Word and not the culture of a people.
f. Those who say: because the early church did not celebrate JESUS' birthday.
The early church was aware that JESUS is not just a man, he is GOD. The early church celebrated him every day. All days are days that GOD made (Psalms 118:24) and we can celebrate him at any time (Psalms 34:2).
JESUS did not celebrate his own birthday. He is GOD, he exists outside of time. He is Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Transcendent, and Immutable. He is the master of time and circumstances. Why would he want to celebrate the day of his birth on earth?
The birth of the Messiah is not one of the solemn feasts of the LORD (Leviticus 23:1-44). The solemn feasts of the LORD are celebrations established by GOD for the Jewish people in the Old Covenant. Speaking of these feasts, he himself says that they are holy convocations or holy assemblies depending on the translation (Leviticus 23:1-2). The early church was therefore under no obligation to celebrate in the sense of holding a party in commemoration of the birth of JESUS.
Moreover, let us remember that the Church was persecuted just after JESUS' departure. Celebrating his resurrection is far more important than celebrating his birth. A life that celebrates GOD is more important than a day that celebrates him. Being a Christian is not about adhering to Jewish culture, it is about choosing JESUS.
I will not comment on the Christmas party in this article. But, I can already tell you :
JESUS was not born on December 25. December 25 is a date chosen by men.
GOD is GOD every day. I can celebrate him every day. Celebrating him every day does not prevent me from being particularly grateful on certain days.
Every day is a good day to praise, thank, evangelize, save, teach, edify, encourage, heal, and deliver.
GOD hates idolatry and JESUS does not need syncretism to save lives.
My personal conviction is not a commandment for my neighbor. His personal conviction cannot be a commandment for me.
"All things are lawful, but not all things are expedient; all things are lawful, but not all things edify." (1 Corinthians 10:23)
=> «A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one’s birth.» (Ecclesiastes 7:1, NKJV). JESUS received the name above every name because he dedicated his life to the will of the FATHER (John 5:30, John 6:38, Philippians 2:8-9; Hebrews 1:3-4, Luke 22:42). He did not give one day, he gave his life. Whatever you do, do it soundly, for the right reasons, in recognition of what he has done, and according to the full conviction you have.
** Moudje hain = Good morning in wobé (Côte d'Ivoire)
** Buongiorno = Good morning in italian (literally good day)