Kiss The Stars

The origins of our birthday celebrations as we know them to, have their roots in the Egyptian culture.  Research reveals that birthday traditions began some 3000 years before the Common Era or the Before Christ notations. However, what we celebrate as birthdays today was not celebrated by the Egyptians back then. What they were doing was celebrating the birth of someone as a god. When a pharaoh was crowned, he was celebrated as becoming a god. The Egyptians even revered this crowning moment over that of their actual physical birth.

Consequently, other cultures have adapted and added their symbols, meanings, and rituals over time. Today, we usually celebrate birthdays with cakes, candles, ice cream, and other festive memorabilia with our loved ones.  No one questions the inauthenticity of these moments. Birthday celebrations sometimes bring with them surprises, gifts of whatever kind and it truly is a moment to bond and a time of remembrance with the celebrating community. The Egyptians got something right, they were celebrating the potential of a human being (though misguided). It was a coronation moment for them to celebrate the capacity of an individual to lead with supreme authority over everything in existence.

From a Christian perspective, the bible is very clear that our physical birth has significance. Christ’s birth was revealed to the “Wise Men” by a star shining very brightly under the heavenly skies. Matthew 2: 9-11 records this narrative, “After the Wise Men had listened to the king, they went on their way. The star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them. It finally stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. The Wise Men went to the house. There they saw the child with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures. They gave him gold, frankincense, and myrrh”. Jesus’ birth was so impactful that it brought with it economic provision, adoration, and a fear of God by the Wise Men. Also, our arrival on Earth started long before we even got here as humans. King David in Psalm 139 had a glimpse of this truth when he got a revelation of this fact. In one of his lyrical odes, he penned “Lord”, you knew me unformed before I even became a substance in my mother’s womb. What a powerful revelation. We were conceived in God’s mind before we even had a mind. Why would God, Abba Father, make provision for us being born without ensuring our providence?

If today is your birthday, Happy Birthday! You are significant even if you may not realise it. There was a star that shined brightly on the day of your birth. You may have struggled throughout your life but that’s not all there is to life. Give Abba Father, an opportunity to Father you by choosing to accept His Son Jesus Christ as The Lord and Savior of your life. You perhaps are a Christian but somehow, you may not have realized how valued & cherished you are.  It is ok to celebrate you even in the absence of receiving celebration from others. Look to Abba Father and allow Him to love you.