Why It Matters to God

Why does God care whether or not you celebrate birthdays? After all, it's a chance for you to give presents to someone and make them feel good. What could be wrong with this?

Here's what God commands: "Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the heathen are dismayed by them. For the customs of the people are vain" (Jeremiah 10:2, 3).

After God freed Israel from slavery, He clearly instructed them: "After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein you dwelt, shall you not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, where I bring you, shall you not do: neither shall you walk in their ordinances" (Leviticus 18:3). God commanded that they not defile themselves with the practices and customs of the surrounding nations (verses 24-29). "Therefore shall you keep My ordinance, that you commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that you defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God" (verse 30).

This is an emphatic command from God. He does not want His servants dabbling in the customs of this world.

But what about those who reach age eighty, ninety or one hundred years old—should we altogether ignore the many years of life experiences they have gained? No. In our current society, where senior citizens are routinely ignored and considered to be a burden, it is certainly permissible to acknowledge someone who has reached a considerable number of years. Someone who has lived through two world wars, the Great Depression, the Atomic Age, the creation of the modern nation of Israel, the Cold War, men walking on the moon, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Kennedy assassination, civil rights marches, race riots, the rise and collapse of the Berlin wall and the worldwide growth of the Internet, has reached an age where special honor should be naturally conferred upon them.

Proverbs 16:31 says, "The hoary (white or gray) head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." People who have lived to great age, sometimes reflected by pure white hair, often have great wisdom and experience to share with younger generations. Simple acknowledgment that they have reached age 70, 80, 90 or 100 shows them honor and appreciation. It is not wrong to acknowledge that one has reached a milestone in a long life.

What we have described above is far different than celebrating birthdays with all of the usual pagan traditions! Celebrating the day of one's birth, as though it was a special occasion, is wrong. It violates God's command. It keeps people selfishly focused on their temporary, physical lives, when God's purpose is to give mankind eternal life in His Family. True Christians should be focused on how their lives are preparing them for rulership on this earth at the Return of Jesus Christ.

God hates all pagan customs and traditions—birthday celebrations are not an exception!