What does the Bible say about birthdays?
If you search the Bible for instructions about birthdays, you're not going to find a neat verse that says, “Thou shalt celebrate birthdays” or “Don’t you dare.” And honestly, that’s part of what makes this topic interesting. The Bible's treatment of birthday celebrations is quiet, subtle, and a bit surprising for folks used to either strict rules or total freedom.
Let’s look at what Scripture actually shows, how we can think about birthdays in light of the gospel, and whether these celebrations have any real place in a life shaped by the Kingdom of God.
Birthday Mentions in the Bible: What’s Actually There?
So, here’s the thing. Birthdays only pop up a couple of times in the Bible—and neither story is particularly cheerful. First, you’ve got Pharaoh in Genesis 40. It’s his birthday, and he throws a feast. During the festivities, one servant is restored to his post, and the other is executed. Not exactly a Hallmark card moment.
Then there’s Herod in Matthew 14. His birthday party includes dancing, pride, and ultimately the beheading of John the Baptist. Again, not something you’d want on a cake topper.
Do these stories mean birthdays are inherently wrong? Not really. These examples don’t carry moral weight about the birthday itself. They’re just part of the narrative. The Bible doesn’t pause to say “and this was bad because it was a birthday.” The focus is on the choices made during the events.
Celebration in the Bible: A Broader View
Even if birthdays aren’t front and center in Scripture, the Bible is full of celebrations. God commands feasts. He institutes times of joy and remembrance—Passover, the Feast of Booths, Pentecost. These events were built into the rhythm of life to help His people remember who He is and what He’s done.
That tells us something. God isn’t against celebration. In fact, He’s the one who invented it. The key issue is what we’re celebrating and how. So while the Bible doesn’t include birthdays in its list of holy days, that doesn’t mean they’re off-limits. It means they fall into the category of personal conviction.
Romans 14:5-6 speaks directly to this kind of issue: “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.” That includes birthdays. You’re free to celebrate—or not—based on how it fits into your faith walk.
Should Christians Celebrate Birthdays?
Let’s be real. Birthdays can become self-focused pretty quickly. Social media posts, gifts, parties where the spotlight is on you. But they can also be a beautiful way to reflect, thank God for life, and love others.
The question isn’t, “Does the Bible approve of cake and candles?” The real question is: “What are we doing with the day?” If birthdays become moments of gratitude, markers of spiritual growth, or opportunities to serve others, then they line up well with Kingdom values.
Paul reminds believers in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” That means birthdays included. Whether you’re throwing a party, having a quiet dinner, or choosing not to acknowledge it at all, the motive matters.
What About the Gospel?
Here’s where things go deeper. The gospel is the good news that Jesus is King and that through His death and resurrection, we’re made new. That affects how we see every part of life—even birthdays.
Think of a birthday as a checkpoint. It’s another lap around the sun, but more than that, it’s a reminder that time is moving forward. That you’ve been given another year to walk in grace, to mature in faith, to be part of God’s mission. In light of the gospel, celebrating life becomes an act of worship, not self-absorption.
You can even use your birthday to practice generosity. Instead of receiving gifts, you could choose to give. You could use the occasion to gather people for prayer or reflection. It doesn’t have to look like the world’s version of a party. It can look like joy in the Spirit.
Eschatology and the March of Time
Let’s take it one step further. The Bible teaches that time is headed somewhere. It’s not just looping endlessly. There’s an end, a culmination, a renewal. Each birthday is a subtle reminder that we’re closer to the full arrival of the Kingdom. For believers, that’s not a scary thought—it’s a hopeful one.
So while you mark another year, you can do so with an eye on eternity. That doesn’t mean you get gloomy about growing older. It means you recognize that your life fits into a much larger story. And that story ends with Christ reigning fully, all things made new, and no more death or pain.
In that sense, a birthday can be eschatological in a quiet way. It reminds you of both the fragility and the preciousness of time. And for those in Christ, each year is one step closer to the day when faith becomes sight.
What About Children and Birthday Traditions?
If you’re a parent, you’ve probably faced this one: Should we have a birthday party for our kids? What should we teach them about birthdays? The Bible doesn’t give a blueprint, but you can shape the experience around gratitude, identity, and grace.
Help your kids see that their life is a gift. That their value doesn’t come from how big their party is but from being made in God's image. You could even take time each birthday to pray with them, speak blessings over them, or revisit stories of God’s faithfulness in their lives.
It’s totally fine to enjoy cake and presents, but weave in spiritual moments too. Make the birthday more than just a consumer celebration. Make it a chance to reinforce their place in God's story.
Wrapping It All Up
So, what does the Bible say about birthdays? Not much directly. But the absence of a command doesn't mean an absence of meaning. From Pharaoh’s party to Herod’s disaster, the Bible shows us examples of birthdays, but not a one-size-fits-all rule.
That’s because birthdays are part of the “disputable matters” category. Romans 14 gives the principle. The gospel gives the lens. The Kingdom gives the goal.
Celebrate your birthday if it feels right. Or don’t. But whatever you choose, do it with gratitude, spiritual intention, and an eye on the King who gave you life in the first place.
Because in the end, the point isn't the party—it’s the Person you live for.
Verses about birthdays:
Psalm 139:13-14, "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."
Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
James 1:17, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
Job 1:21, "And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’"
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2,"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted."
