How Should Christians View Birthdays?

The traditional signs are easy to spot: a frosted cake, flickering candles, a wrapped gift, a sudden flurry of calls and messages. For many, birthdays are a time to celebrate. For others, they bring quiet reflection. And for Christians striving to live by every word of God, birthdays can prompt sincere questions: What does the Bible actually say about them? Does God care how we treat the day of our birth? Should we commemorate our own—or someone else’s?

Ultimately, what does it mean to handle birthdays in a way that honors God?

Everyone shares a simple truth: We were all born on a particular day. And each time that date returns, we mark another year of life. While many treat birthdays as personal holidays or social milestones, what matters most is how God views them.

From the very beginning, God has shown He values life. He is the Creator who “breathed into [man’s] nostrils the breath of life” (Gen. 2:7) and placed him in a garden filled with living things, including “the tree of life” (vs. 8-9).

God calls Himself “the living God” (Jer. 10:10) and maintains a “book of life” (Rev. 3:5) for those who overcome. Jesus Christ said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Clearly, God treasures life. He wants us to see it as He does.

How does this perspective apply to the specific day each of us entered the world—our birthday?

Two Births

To view birthdays correctly, we must begin with what the Bible says about birth itself. Scripture describes two kinds of birth. Both types show how central life is to God and His plan for mankind.

The first birth is physical—our entrance into this world. The second birth is spiritual—our future transformation into God’s Family.

Physical life begins at conception, with God intimately involved from the start. Isaiah recorded, “Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and He that formed you from the womb, I am the Lord that makes all things…” (Isa. 44:24). The Creator handcrafts every life, with each person made in His image (Gen. 1:26).

Jesus described the joy of childbirth this way: “A woman when she is in travail has sorrow…but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world” (John 16:21).

God reinforced the value of life in His message to ancient Israel: “I have set before you life and death…therefore choose life” (Deut. 30:19). Our Creator is not the God of the dead, but “the God of the living” (Mark 12:27).

But childbirth is just part of the picture. God is not only involved in giving physical life—He also offers something far greater.

Jesus explained: “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God…That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:3-6). Many reduce this “born again” phrase to a symbolic religious experience. But Christ was describing a literal transformation—from flesh to spirit—into the divine Family of God.

The apostle Paul vividly describes this future moment: “We shall be changed…this mortal must put on immortality” (I Cor. 15:52-53). Through this second birth, the gift of God—eternal life (Rom. 6:23)—is fulfilled. As I John 3:2 says, “We shall be like Him”—like God Himself.

When we understand the importance of both births, physical and spiritual, we can begin to approach birthdays with balance.

Why No Birth Dates in Scripture

The Bible records many births, with some being truly miraculous. Think of Isaac, Samson, Samuel and John the Baptist. Each played a key role in God’s unfolding plan, and their stories were written for our learning. Yet even with all their importance, something is noticeably missing: None of their actual birth dates are recorded.

That silence is telling. While God values life, He places no special spiritual weight on the day someone is born. Not even the birthdate of Jesus Christ is explicitly listed in Scripture.

Of course, this does not mean Christ’s birth was not meaningful. It absolutely was. The gospel accounts detail the many responses to His arrival. The shepherds, after seeing the newborn Savior, returned “glorifying and praising God” (Luke 2:20). Simeon, moved by the Holy Spirit, blessed God and declared he had seen God’s salvation upon seeing Jesus as a newborn (vs. 25-33). In the same account, Anna the prophetess gave thanks and spoke about Him to those waiting for redemption in Jerusalem (vs. 36-38). Even the wise men traveled from the East with gifts—not for a birthday party, but to honor a king (Matt. 2:1-2, 11).

What stands out in all these responses is joy and gratitude. But there were no bombastic parades or festivals. Those who understood the importance of Jesus’ birth responded by glorifying God.

This becomes especially relevant when we consider how the world now marks Christ’s birth through Christmas. Although this holiday claims to honor Jesus, it is rooted in manmade customs and pagan traditions—and is steeped in commercialism and self-indulgence. (For more, see our free booklet The True Origin of Christmas.)

Christmas traditions should serve as a warning because they stray far from how people in the Bible responded to Christ’s birth. In the same way, we must be careful not to let our approach toward birthdays drift into something God never intended.

This Christmas example points to another likely reason God does not give clear birth dates for the Bible’s significant figures. He knows how easily we can make dates seem more than they should be.

People naturally look for things to focus on and even revere. That is why God warns, “Flee from idolatry” (I Cor. 10:14). If we had the exact birth dates of Bible figures, those days would likely become celebrations—or worse, objects of worship—just as Christmas has corrupted the true meaning of Christ’s birth.

There is yet another pattern to notice in Scripture regarding the subject of birthdays. More than drawing attention to the day someone was born, God emphasizes the details of how they lived and how their lives ended. Ecclesiastes 7:1 puts it this way: “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.” That may sound surprising at first, but the meaning is profound.

Birth is only the beginning. For God’s faithful, death marks fulfillment—the end of a life of overcoming, growth and preparation for eternal life. What matters most is not when someone is born, but how they lived and the godly character they built.

The Bible does not measure the number of years lived but how we use those years. A life of obedience, service and faithfulness to God is far more significant than the simple fact of being born.

This perspective helps us think differently about birthdays. Acknowledging the day of our birth is not wrong, but it should not eclipse what truly matters—spiritual growth, godly character and readiness for the Kingdom. These are the priorities the Bible emphasizes, and should be our constant focus too. (Read Why Do You Exist? to discover more about your incredible future.)

Warnings, Not Prohibitions

Although the Bible does not forbid birthday celebrations, the few accounts it records are associated with disturbing outcomes.

In Genesis 40, Pharaoh marks his birthday with a feast that ends in the execution of his chief baker (vs. 20-22)—a display of power by a man worshiped as a god. In Matthew 14:6-11, King Herod’s party spirals into a deadly spectacle of vanity and indulgence, ending in the beheading of John the Baptist.

These instances have led some to conclude that we should avoid birthday observances entirely. But the real issue is not in the observance—it is the attitudes and actions surrounding it.

In both stories, what went wrong stemmed from pride, excess and a lack of self-control. These are cautionary examples—not commands to avoid birthdays altogether.

For Christians who choose to celebrate birthdays, these accounts offer a valuable reminder to stay focused on the right things. Birthdays are never an excuse for revelry, drunkenness or sin. Read I Corinthians 6:10 and I Peter 4:3-5.

Many modern birthday customs are harmless, but some deserve a closer look. Take the tradition of making a silent wish before blowing out candles. It may feel innocent, but its roots lie in superstition and the idea of appealing to an unseen power other than the true God.

Other birthday elements—like candles themselves or cake and singing—are not inherently wrong. A candle is just a candle. A cake is simply a dessert. The “Happy Birthday” song originated as a classroom greeting in the 1800s, not a religious ritual. These things are part of culture, not worship.

That said, the meaning we attach to them matters. Lighting candles for atmosphere is one thing; using them in a wish-making ritual tied to superstition is something else. Godly discernment helps us know the difference and keep our focus in the right place.

We must be careful not to judge others by our own personal standards. Some may feel uneasy about certain birthday customs, and that is OK. The Bible gives room for individual judgment in this area. As Romans 14:5 says, “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” If your conscience does not permit something, you should avoid it. And if someone else chooses differently, with a clear conscience and right focus, that is between them and God.

The Godly Approach

For those who choose to keep birthdays, the goal should never be self-exaltation or decadent indulgence. Instead, the observance should be about recognizing the life God gave.

A meal with loved ones, a personal day of reflection or a meaningful conversation can carry more weight than any party or present. If you gather with others, let it be for fellowship, not fanfare. Gifts, if exchanged, should be genuine and considerate, not extravagant or out of obligation. As Paul wrote, “God loves a cheerful giver” (II Cor. 9:7). And for the one receiving: “Give thanks always for all things…submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God” (Eph. 5:20-21).

Accepting a gift in this spirit gives others a chance to express their appreciation for the role you play in their lives. When approached with the right heart, receiving can be as meaningful as giving.

A notable example comes from Herbert W. Armstrong, who led the predecessor organization to The Restored Church of God. He yearly chose to honor his mother with a gift of flowers. His gesture showed thankfulness for a mother’s love, for life and for the God who gives both.

It also reflects the spirit of Romans 13:7, which says to give tribute, custom and honor to whom it is due. This is similar to the way we might give gifts on occasions like Mother’s Day or Father’s Day to express sincere admiration or respect.

The Bible does not condemn honoring others with meaningful acts. When done with love and the right motives, both giving and receiving can glorify God.

Even young children can begin learning lasting lessons from birthday observances. While they may not yet grasp the deeper meanings, that can be all the more reason to start early.

Parents can help their children see birthdays as a time to pause, express appreciation and reflect on another year of growth—not simply to receive gifts or attention. Decorations or accessories, if used, should be modest and never overshadow the day’s true meaning.

Some individuals may come from religious or cultural backgrounds where birthdays were avoided. But now, they may recognize that celebrating can be appropriate when the focus is in the right place.

Naturally, this shift might prompt honest questions: “Why do you celebrate birthdays now if you didn’t before?” In these moments, a simple, sincere response can go a long way. You might say, “I used to avoid birthdays because they often encourage self-focus. Now I see that they offer a chance to thank God for another year and appreciate the people in my life.” Or more simply, “I used to avoid birthdays out of caution. But now I understand they can be meaningful when the focus stays on gratitude and honoring God.”

These kinds of answers show that your decisions are thoughtful and based on conviction—not just going along with what is popular.

Life’s True Measure

God does not measure our worth by the day we were born—but by how we live the life He gave us.

When we look at life through a biblical lens, it becomes clear that a person’s true value is not found in their birth date but in their faithfulness to God.

In Matthew 12:33, Jesus said that “a tree is known by its fruit” (New King James Version). In other words, what fully defines us in God’s eyes is not the moment we arrive—it is the character we develop, the choices we make and the fruit our lives produce.

Throughout Scripture, we never see the day of birth elevated or honored as a recurring milestone. But we consistently see God emphasizing the importance of spiritual growth, obedience and endurance. He wants His people to focus not on where they started, but on where they are going.

Birthdays can bring moments of simple joy such as spending time with loved ones over a favorite dessert. But they can also offer an occasion to stop and think: “How has God blessed me this past year? What have I learned? How am I growing—and how can I use the year ahead to continue living out His purpose?”

Paul tells us to “redeem the time” (Eph. 5:16)—to make the most of every opportunity—and to set our “affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2). Each year can be a personal checkpoint to examine spiritual progress. Viewed this way, birthdays become reminders that our time is limited—and that what matters most is how we use it.

In the end, a life lived in obedience to God is far more meaningful than any celebration of the day we were born. The goal is not to reject all cultural customs out of hand, but to evaluate them wisely—always asking, “Does this help me honor God, or distract me from Him?”

The greatest celebration is not the one that marks our physical birth. It is the one yet to come—the day we are changed, transformed into spirit and welcomed into the joy of God’s eternal Kingdom.

That is the most important day to live for and celebrate.