Birthdays in the Bible

Birthdays in the Bible

Good Morning Friends,

The arrival of only one royal children being born into this world has been celebrated annually for thousands of years. Other heirs to the throne have been honored but only typically during their lifetime. This type of royal celebration is most evident in civilizations, where the development of a calendar has made an organized reckoning of birth dates possible. What is interesting is how those who calculated time by the Sun, moon and stars, meticulously examined for omens related to those in power and specifically the prospects that royalty would effect on the society as a whole. We see a bit of this in the story of the Egyptian Pharaoh’s celebration in Genesis and of evil King Herod’s celebration in Matthew. But we also see it in the story of the wise men bringing gifts to Jesus. Interestingly all have both birth but also death as part of the story focus. With that sobering thought we explore Birthdays in the Bible.

Scripture: One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.

Romans 14:5-6 (ESV)

And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11 (ESV)

His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

Job 1:4 (ESV)

On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.

Genesis 40:20-22 (ESV)

But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison,

Matthew 14:6-12 (ESV)

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.  All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.  He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:1-7 (NRSV)

Message: Though some think it wrong, almost everybody, today, celebrates birthdays. Around the world, friends and relatives hold birthday parties, give gifts to the one being honored, and wish “Happy birthday!” to the one whose birthday is being celebrated. Now that we are heirs to the kingdom we too can celebrate birthdays.
But the when of proper celebration of Jesus’ birth is a little more involved in calculating than our own.
Although it’s not impossible, it seems unlikely that Jesus was born on December the 25th. It is more likely that this is the insertion by the Romans of a good holiday Christmas, for the pagan one, the Winter Solstice. Interestingly it is eight days later we have a New Year party as a celebration in a way a celebration of Jesus’ circumcision. The Bible does not specify a date or month for Jesus’ birth. One problem with December is that it would be unusual for shepherds to be abiding in the field at this time of year when fields were unproductive. The normal practice was to keep the flocks in the fields from Spring to Autumn. Many believe that a more probable time would be late September, the time of the annual Feast of Tabernacles. It is now commonly believed that Jesus’ birth was around the last of September. The conception of Christ, however, may have taken place in late December of the previous year. Our Christmas celebration may well be recognized as an honored observation of the incarnation of the Word made flesh. And that is a party worth celebrating.

Pray that we honor the incarnation of the King of kings…the bringer of light and life into the world. Pray we recognize the importance of sincere sorrow as a preparation for the supernatural coming of Jesus into our lives. Pray we celebrate the day Christ came into our lives.

Blessings,

John Lawson