Birthdays & The Bible

[hitch0403]

According to the Scriptures, the day the baby was born was usually one of rejoicing and thanksgiving on the part of the parents, and rightly so, for “look! Sons are an inheritance from Jehovah; the fruitage of the belly is a reward.” (Ps 127:3; Jer 20:15; Lu 1:57, 58) However, there is no indication in the Scriptures that faithful worshipers of Jehovah ever indulged in the pagan practice of annually celebrating birthdays.
The Bible makes direct reference to only two birthday celebrations, those of Pharaoh of Egypt (18th century B.C.E.) and Herod Antipas (1st century C.E.). These two accounts are similar in that both occasions were marked with great feasting and granting of favors; both are remembered for executions, the beheading of Pharaoh’s chief baker in the first instance, the beheading of John the Baptizer in the latter.—Ge 40:18-22; 41:13; Mt 14:6-11; Mr 6:21-28.

Let me add...as much sense as this might make to some i understand in this world that while so many are programmed to celebrate they will be just like Pontius Pilate when he asked Jesus,"what is truth"?

Jesus NEVER answered him cos he knew Pilate didnt care what the answer was.

[ro901]

So, what exactly is your point? The Bible also tells us to weep at birth and rejoice at death.

[hitch0403]

Ro9....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.

If God favored birthdays would he have spoken of the 2 executions from birthday celebrations in it?

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.”

With the introduction of Christianity the viewpoint toward birthday celebrations did not change. Jesus inaugurated a binding Memorial, not of his birth, but of his death, saying: “Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” (Lu 22:19) If early Christians did not celebrate or memorialize the birthday of their Savior, much less would they celebrate their own day of birth. Historian Augustus Neander writes: “The notion of a birthday festival was far from the ideas of the Christians of this period.” (The History of the Christian Religion and Church, During the Three First Centuries, translated by H. J. Rose, 1848, p. 190) “Origen [a writer of the third century C.E.] . . . insists that ‘of all the holy people in the Scriptures, no one is recorded to have kept a feast or held a great banquet on his birthday. It is only sinners (like Pharaoh and Herod) who make great rejoicings over the day on which they were born into this world below.’”—The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913, Vol. X, p. 709.

Humility and modesty are conditions of Gods spirit.These dont come with birthday celebrations.KIng Herod a good example in bible.

Also you refer to the bible saying rejoice at death weep at birth..........can you be a little more specific what you mean and what part of bible you are speaking about.....not sure if this helps......
The tribulation associated with giving birth. God expressed to the first woman, Eve, after she had sinned, what the result would be as to childbearing. If she had remained obedient, God’s blessing would have continued upon her and childbearing would have been an unmixed joy, for, “the blessing of Jehovah—that is what makes rich, and he adds no pain with it.” (Pr 10:22) But now, as a general rule, the imperfect functioning of the body would bring pain. Accordingly, God said (as often the things that he permits are said to be done by him): “I shall greatly increase the pain of your pregnancy; in birth pangs you will bring forth children.”—Ge 3:16.

[betlynjua]

According to the Scriptures, the day the baby was born was usually one of rejoicing and thanksgiving on the part of the parents, and rightly so, for “look! Sons are an inheritance from Jehovah; the fruitage of the belly is a reward.” (Ps 127:3; Jer 20:15; Lu 1:57, 58) However, there is no indication in the Scriptures that faithful worshipers of Jehovah ever indulged in the pagan practice of annually celebrating birthdays.
The Bible makes direct reference to only two birthday celebrations, those of Pharaoh of Egypt (18th century B.C.E.) and Herod Antipas (1st century C.E.). These two accounts are similar in that both occasions were marked with great feasting and granting of favors; both are remembered for executions, the beheading of Pharaoh’s chief baker in the first instance, the beheading of John the Baptizer in the latter.—Ge 40:18-22; 41:13; Mt 14:6-11; Mr 6:21-28.

Let me add...as much sense as this might make to some i understand in this world that while so many are programmed to celebrate they will be just like Pontius Pilate when he asked Jesus,"what is truth"?

Jesus NEVER answered him cos he knew Pilate didnt care what the answer was.

My husband and I were talking about this exact thing while we were out in the Christian Ministry this morning.  There were only 2 birthdays mentioned in the Bible and both of them ended in disaster.  People may be surprised and perhaps disappointed in the origins of birthday celebrations.  If you have the Reasoning From The Scriptures book handy,  take a look at pages 68-70.  It really sheds light on the subject.

[hitch0403]

Hi Betly...yes i do have that book...that book is TREMENDOUS!!!

[betlynjua]

Hi Betly...yes i do have that book...that book is TREMENDOUS!!!

Glad to hear that hitch.  It really is a wonderful book and comes in quite handy whenever I speak to someone about any of the principal subjects.  I find that when I talk to a person who respects the Bible, using a reference to help locate a verse is so helpful and, many times, they appreciate the research. 

[hitch0403]

It is nice to have come into contact with you Betly.There is such a wealth of knowledge in the publications and even on the net.The explanations are so good and are God sent.

How long have you been a member of Fusion Cash?I enjoy this site and this forum.

While many may not be supportive of The Watchtower views here i would say its a good crowd of people looking to earn some extra cash and enjoy the chatting in the forum!!

[betlynjua]

It is nice to have come into contact with you Betly.There is such a wealth of knowledge in the publications and even on the net.The explanations are so good and are God sent.

How long have you been a member of Fusion Cash?I enjoy this site and this forum.

While many may not be supportive of The Watchtower views here i would say its a good crowd of people looking to earn some extra cash and enjoy the chatting in the forum!!

It's very nice to meet you as well.  Yes, The Watchtower and Awake! magazines along with all of the other publications truly help us to get an accurate knowledge of God's Word.  It doesn't get any better than that.

I've been a member of Fusion Cash for a while.  I can't tell you when I originally signed up because it's been so long ago.  LOL  But I've been an active member for about a year and a half.  I enjoy it as well.  Right now, I'm able to just do a little at a time.  I work other sites also and have to split my time on other projects. 

Have a great day and a better tomorrow.  I'll be looking for you on the forum. 

[hitch0403]

Hi Betly.....of course i am blind as a bat.You are a member since 2011.It says it right next to your name....LOL!!I have been a member for few years now too.I do a few other sites as well.I have a job where i am able to work my laptop and gradually earn some extra cash.Kills time and we have fun.

Again nice chatting and meeting you and wishing you and yours well.CYA on forum!!

[betlynjua]

Thanks hitch.  I'll be in touch.  I wish you and your family and friends well also.  Happy earnings to you here on FC and your other sites too.

[zappywappy]

You are going in the right direction. There is so much to read so much to take in.  death happens to us all. yep. so much so little so much so little

[rdy2pl8]

Thank you for to this topic to light. I never thought about this. I think the reason we celebrate birthdays, is because we are thankful for seeing another one.

[hitch0403]

RDY.....i understand what you mean.The idea that man must die isnt natural.So its nice to say you are still around yr after yr......but lets take it 1 step better......

Thank the Good Lord day by day for it too!!