By Matt Nuth

This week, I get to celebrate the birthday of one of my grandchildren. It will be fun; birthdays usually are for children. Of course, as we age, birthdays serve to remind us why our joints are a little stiffer, our memory a little foggier, and our patience a little shorter. It gives me pause to consider some of the normal salutations and wishes that accompany this day. Who of us has not received birthday cards filled with trite cliches inviting us to stuff ourselves with cake, enjoy some “cheer” or “have a birthday hug,” or the standard exhortation to just have a “Happy Birthday”?

They all reflect the good wishes from friends and family. But somehow, I think they miss much of the point. “Happy Birthday” is not just a wish for someone, but an acknowledgement that this is truly a happy day. One might say every day in the Lord is a happy day, and I agree, but birthdays are special; they reflect the celebration of a gift from God. In Psalm 139, we read,

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

We are all unique creations of God. We are individual; none of us are the same, and we should celebrate that. We are all masterpieces of the Master.

This is not to say that our creation alone is the reason for celebration. We are called upon to do work. In Ephesians 2 we are reminded that

“…we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Each of has been crafted with a purpose, enabling us to carry out the plan God has already made for us. We should never forget that we have good things to do. Yes, you are a gift from God, and I am thankful for it.

“Happy Birthday” is more than a wish, it is an acknowledgement that the day you were born was truly a joyous day. Never forget it!