Thought for Today
Genesis 40:20 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.
Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death, than the day of birth.
Luke 1:14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,
Matthew 14:6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod
My mother and my sister were both born on August 22nd. For years, this date was an occasion for special celebrations of their joint birthdays. When we were younger and all living at home, it was an occasion for special meals, etc. As we 3 siblings matured and began to have families of our own, it became one of the occasions when we would all gather together, usually at our parents’ home. Parents who were now grandparents, siblings who were now parents, cousins who lived in various parts of a very large city, all celebrating those 2 birthdays and our familial relationships.
Birthdays are and should be occasions for celebration. When we are children, our birthdays often center around presents, cake, maybe special meals. We were not wealthy when we were children, but there was always enough money for cake and presents. My father especially loved giving presents . . .on any occasion and especially to his family. Birthdays were a really Big Deal!
Age and busy schedules have a way of dulling birthdays and their celebrations. Mirrors have an especially devastating effect on celebrating the passing of another year. Birthdays become more depressing than exciting. Some even attempt to deny the passing of time through cosmetic ‘enhancement,’ as though we can somehow deny the passing of the time and the effect on our bodies and our lives. Guess what!?!
Eventually, however, the attainment of another year of age once again becomes an occasion for celebration. With each passing year, I become happier and happier to celebrate my birthday. Now, if I could just recreate the joy of my youth in being gifted with the latest toys! Somehow getting a new bike or a BB gun just isn’t the same anymore.
Our society notes certain birthdays as occasions for celebration. Certainly, July 4th is an occasion for celebration in the U.S.A. We have parades, fireworks displays, and special meals often centered around hot dogs. The day commemorating the birth of our nation is justifiably an occasion for celebration.
When I was younger, February was a favorite month because we had 2 school holidays to celebrate the birthdays of honored presidents. Washington’s birthday and Lincoln’s birthday were school holidays. Were I still in elementary school, I would not be too happy that at the federal level and in many states, those holidays are now consolidated into Presidents’ Day.
As Christians, of course, we know that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Christ. In my own lifetime, I have witnessed this Christian, religious holiday being transformed into a massive, secular celebration of commercialism. Many of the traditions, the music and even the special meals remain the same. Regrettably, much of the history and meaning of why we celebrate has been lost in the special sales, the (at least symbolic) ringing of cash registers and the endless televised advertisements for this year’s ‘must have’ present.
Thankfully, like many churches, our congregation still celebrates the ‘reason for the season.’ We still gather together to celebrate the birth of our Savior. We still understand the meaning of the hymns, the ‘story behind the story.’
Today, August 22, 2024, I am remembering my mother. I am remembering the joy in my family at the birth of my sister. I will be praying special prayers for them both. I will be especially comforted knowing that my mother is in heaven, still watching out for my welfare and that of all of her flock. I will even offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the mother who played such a large part in making me who, and whose, I am.
Stay safe, remember the special birthdays in your life, trust God,
Pastor Ray