Can Christians celebrate birthdays?

from the old testament

• The Bible does not specifically address whether Christians should celebrate birthdays, though it does mention two people celebrating birthdays—the Egyptian Pharaoh during Joseph's time (Exodus 40:20) and King Herod during Jesus' time (see Matthew 14:6; Mark 6:21). These birthdays are recorded as a historical marker with no indication that birthdays either should or should not be celebrated.

from the new testament

• As with many things where the Bible is silent, Romans 14 can be a helpful guiding principle. In discussing laws regarding certain foods and religious holidays, Paul instructed, "One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God" (Romans 14:5–6). Applying this to birthdays, those who choose to celebrate should do so in honor to God, with thanksgiving. Those who choose not to celebrate should also do so in honor to God, with thanksgiving.
• Whether we celebrate birthdays or not, 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." If we choose to celebrate birthdays, we should do it to the glory of God. If we choose not to celebrate birthdays, we should do it to the glory of God.
• Whether we choose to celebrate or not, we should not pass judgment on those who are convicted differently (Romans 14:13). Here we also see the importance of not putting a stumbling block in front of a fellow believer, meaning we should restrict our freedom if it will cause another believer to fall into sin.

implications for today

For those who choose to celebrate birthdays, it is important that the celebration be conducted in a manner that honors God and reflects Christian values. Birthdays provide an opportunity to acknowledge and give thanks for the gift of life that God has graciously given us. Psalm 139 beautifully reminds us that God has formed us intricately and knows us intimately from the very beginning, highlighting the preciousness and intentionality of our existence. Likewise, Jesus’ words in John 10:10 emphasize that He came to give us life abundantly, not just mere existence. Celebrating a birthday can be a joyful occasion to reflect on the fact that God has given us full and meaningful lives, to express gratitude for another year of life, and to recognize God’s faithfulness.

However, the manner of celebration matters greatly. A birthday party that indulges in drunkenness, lewd behavior, or any form of excess that dishonors God is clearly inappropriate and contrary to the spirit of thanksgiving and reverence. Such behavior does not glorify God and can harm both the individual and others. Instead, birthday celebrations should be occasions of wholesome fellowship, encouragement, and expressions of love and gratitude.

For those who choose not to celebrate birthdays, it is equally important that this decision be made and carried out in a way that honors God. Opting out of birthday celebrations should not become a platform for boasting spiritual superiority or judgment toward those who do celebrate. Drawing undue attention to one’s abstention in a prideful or condemnatory way is inappropriate and can lead to division rather than unity. Instead, a decision not to celebrate can be a personal and humble reminder that our true citizenship is not of this world, as Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:20-21, where believers are called to focus on our heavenly home rather than on earthly milestones.

Foregoing a birthday celebration can also serve as a moment of reflection on the temporary nature of life on earth, encouraging a deeper dependence on God and an eternal perspective. Whether one celebrates or not, the heart attitude should always be one of honoring God — recognizing His sovereignty over life and death, acknowledging His goodness in sustaining us, and seeking to live in a way that glorifies Him with every passing year.