Happy Birthday, Aaron!

 

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:3-5 ESV).

 

There are holidays people observe that are based on events related to a nation’s history, such as the Fourth of July and Memorial Day. Other holidays, such as Christmas or Easter, are based on remembering religious historical events. But each of us has a peculiar holiday linked to our own person. Today is one of those holidays for me. My youngest son, Aaron, was born four decades ago today. Happy Birthday, Aaron. The picture I’ve attached was taken several years ago on the campus of Georgetown University, where he is an Associate Teaching Professor. Because birthdays are a “personal holiday” I have taken a little break from our series in the Revelation to celebrate a bit. And, I hope my celebration will bring some encouragement to you.

 

While the Bible doesn’t command a celebration of birthdays, there are good reasons to continue to celebrate the birth of a person. It is good to affirm the value of a person (cf. Genesis 1-3). God goes about creating a beautiful and good creation. His most celebrated creation is man. God forms humanity in a very personal way. We are unique. That uniqueness is called “fearful and majestic” (Psalm 139:13-14). We also celebrate simply because people are blessings from God. In Scripture we hear about the wonderful blessing that children are and how God cares for them while they are still in the womb (Psalm 127:3). Birthdays are a also a time for thankfulness. There is so much complaining, strife, and conflict that swirls around us. It is easy to be pulled down into focusing on troubles and trials and take people and things for granted. Birthdays provide an opportunity to thank God for the life of a person who is made in the image of the God of the universe and is an amazing creation.

 

So, today I celebrate the incredible gift God has given to Mary and me in our son. I pray you have the same love given and received from your children. If there are impediments to that joy of relationship, perhaps this might encourage you to restore that in the coming days to what God desires for you.

 

Happy Birthday, Aaron!