Why I Do Not Celebrate Birthdays
My sister Nora Jean just celebrated her 75th birthday on December 10, 2011 by having a birthday party in Pittsburgh, PA. When my niece called me
several weeks prior to ask me if I would attend and to be part of the program, I without hesitating said “Yes”. Well, after hanging up the phone and
reflecting on just what had happened, I knew I had placed myself in a bad position. Yes, I wanted to be there to show my support and love for my sister
but, I also want to be loyal and show my love to my God.
Being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses means knowing and understanding what is required of you. I know and understand that celebrating one’s birth is
something that Jehovah God does not want us to do. I know that there are some of you who may not understand this. All you may know is that Jehovah’
s Witnesses don’t do this and don’t do that, and that we don’t have fun. This article is my attempt to help you to at least understand why we (Jehovah’s
Witnesses) do not celebrate birthdays.
The early Christians, notes The World Book Encyclopedia, considered the celebration of anyone's birth to be a pagan custom. The ancient Greeks, for
instance, believed that each person had a protective spirit that attended the person’s birth and thereafter watched over him. That spirit “had a mystic
relation with the god on whose birthday the individual was born,” says the book The Lore of Birthdays. Birthdays also have a long-standing and an
intimate link with astrology and the horoscope.
Besides rejecting birthdays customs on account of pagan and spiritistic roots, God’s servants of old likely rejected them on principle as well. Why?
These were humble, modest men and women who did not view their arrival in the world as so important that it should be celebrated. Rather, they glorified
Jehovah God and thanked him for the precious gift of life.
The Law covenant required that a woman, after giving birth, present a sin offering to God. A poignant reminder that humans pass sin on to their children,
this legal requirement helped the Israelites to have a balanced view of the birth of a child and may have discouraged them from adopting pagan birthday
customs.
At death, all integrity-keepers are safe in God’s memory, and their future life is guaranteed. Say’s Ecclesiastes 7:1: “A name is better than good oil, and
the day of death than the day of one’s being born.” Our “name” is the good reputation we have gained with God through faithful service. Significantly,
the only commemoration commanded for Christians involves, not a birth, but a death-that of Jesus, whose excellent “name” is the key to our salvation.
It is of interest to note that the most important day in the religion called Satanism is one’s birthday. Why? Because Satanists hold that each individual is a
god if he chooses to view himself as one. Thus, to celebrate one’s own birthday is to celebrate the birth of a god. Of course, most people do not take
such an extreme, egotistical view. Nevertheless, the book The Love of Birthdays states: “Other holidays lift the heart, but birthdays warm the ego.”
My sister Nora Jean just celebrated her 75th birthday on December 10, 2011 by having a birthday party in Pittsburgh, PA. When my niece called me
several weeks prior to ask me if I would attend and to be part of the program, I without hesitating said “Yes”. Well, after hanging up the phone and
reflecting on just what had happened, I knew I had placed myself in a bad position. Yes, I wanted to be there to show my support and love for my sister
but, I also want to be loyal and show my love to my God.
Being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses means knowing and understanding what is required of you. I know and understand that celebrating one’s birth is
something that Jehovah God does not want us to do. I know that there are some of you who may not understand this. All you may know is that Jehovah’
s Witnesses don’t do this and don’t do that, and that we don’t have fun. This article is my attempt to help you to at least understand why we (Jehovah’s
Witnesses) do not celebrate birthdays.
The early Christians, notes The World Book Encyclopedia, considered the celebration of anyone's birth to be a pagan custom. The ancient Greeks, for
instance, believed that each person had a protective spirit that attended the person’s birth and thereafter watched over him. That spirit “had a mystic
relation with the god on whose birthday the individual was born,” says the book The Lore of Birthdays. Birthdays also have a long-standing and an
intimate link with astrology and the horoscope.
Besides rejecting birthdays customs on account of pagan and spiritistic roots, God’s servants of old likely rejected them on principle as well. Why?
These were humble, modest men and women who did not view their arrival in the world as so important that it should be celebrated. Rather, they glorified
Jehovah God and thanked him for the precious gift of life.
The Law covenant required that a woman, after giving birth, present a sin offering to God. A poignant reminder that humans pass sin on to their children,
this legal requirement helped the Israelites to have a balanced view of the birth of a child and may have discouraged them from adopting pagan birthday
customs.
At death, all integrity-keepers are safe in God’s memory, and their future life is guaranteed. Say’s Ecclesiastes 7:1: “A name is better than good oil, and
the day of death than the day of one’s being born.” Our “name” is the good reputation we have gained with God through faithful service. Significantly,
the only commemoration commanded for Christians involves, not a birth, but a death-that of Jesus, whose excellent “name” is the key to our salvation.
It is of interest to note that the most important day in the religion called Satanism is one’s birthday. Why? Because Satanists hold that each individual is a
god if he chooses to view himself as one. Thus, to celebrate one’s own birthday is to celebrate the birth of a god. Of course, most people do not take
such an extreme, egotistical view. Nevertheless, the book The Love of Birthdays states: “Other holidays lift the heart, but birthdays warm the ego.”
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| COOPER FAMILY NEWSLETTER Cooper-Dickerson-Harris-Montgomery-Anthony-Caffee-Walls-Paul |
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Volume III Issue XXI
Publisher/Editor: Kevin Paul
JANUARY 2012
Make Adjustments or Changes
“My son , fear Jehovah and the king. With those who are for a change, do not intermeddle.” -Prov. 24:21
Oh well, I guess I’m telling my age but, lately I cannot shake the feeling that I am trapped in the 1970s. Oil prices are high and currently eating away at my
funds, we are fighting asinine wars, inflation pressure is building and the government is ineffective. Although we are living in a time of rapid change, it
seems more like things are staying the same. You may be up one minute, down the next, and if you live long enough, you will be up again.
Life is uncertain, and it makes promises to no one. It is a series of changes: these changes give rise to choices, these choices lead to adjustments.
Sometimes we initiate the changes, sometimes we react to them. Change can be good, and it can be bad. As creatures of routine and habit, change is not
always welcomed with open arms. How can we cope with change? Perhaps a better question is whether a change is real or just its impact?
Where Do You Get Your Joy?
Age is catching up to me, I wish I could remember where but, I once read that human beings, on a basic level are motivated to change by two things,
pleasure and pain. They will take action to avoid pain and to increase their pleasure. At the root of this is desire. If you want something bad enough, you
will give and do anything for it. Some people believe that desire is an obstacle to self-realization and a peaceful life. However, I believe that desire for the
wrong things and for the wrong reasons presents the real obstacle. To constantly strive to be a better husband/wife/brother/person is not a bad thing.
However, to desire vain pursuits that do not profit or are fleeting is a problem.
Desiring the wrong things is akin to eating fast food every day, although you will be hungry an hour later. It is pointless. People pursue material goods,
public approval, power, etc. although it is fleeting. They run from high to high, and all the while taking themselves through a bunch of unnecessary
changes. Instead of pursuing the giver, they pursue the gifts. Instead of being content with the good, all they can focus on is the bad. This always leads to
distraction. It causes one to focus on the problem rather than the solutions.
We are all guilty of this. We all have pursued something or wanted something that we knew was not meant for us or good for us. No wonder so many
people are unhappy and discontent. They are living on a basic, emotional level and as such, are tossed with the wind. These individuals forget that there is
a world of difference between wanting something and being ready for it (that is another article in itself).
Where do you get your joy? Where do you get your pleasure and validation? No matter what occurs outside, you can see the good and appreciate life in
whatever form it presents itself. I will give you an example. There have been times when I did not have a dime to my name, but I did not panic. It did not
affect my outlook. There have been times, although rare, where I have been flushed with cash. And it still did not matter. This is because I knew that my
financial situation, though it could be better, did not make me a better man nor was it real. Like everything in life, it comes and it goes. Therefore, it would be
foolish to base my self-worth or mental state on something that is constantly in flux.
People Pleasing
The same goes with people. I believe that being addicted to a person or to money is more dangerous than any drug. And a good number of people are
trapped by what people think. People are constantly changing and in flux. One minute they love you the next minute they act like they do not know you. I
would like to call these people, “flakes.” As long as you make them feel good or do something for them, you are their best friend. But how many people
really know you? How many people would love you if you could offer them nothing? How many of them UNDERSTAND and SUPPORT your dreams, goals
and aspirations? Take heed: the life you lead may not be your own.
Scared Money Don’t Make Money
If you can build a solid foundation within and manage your internal changes, then the external changes are nothing. Actions that seem risky to others
become nothing to you because of the character and fortitude you have cultivated within. But how do we get to this point?
I believe that first you have to know what is real. Understand that change is often the top layer and the truth is more often underneath. We might change,
but who we really are at the core does not. So take time to find that person and cultivate him/her. Also, stay grounded and face your fears head on.
Know that failure and success are simply moments in time and do not say anything about you as a person. However, how you interpret and react to
failure and success speaks volumes about your character.
Pay attention. Be aware of the time, internally and externally. Know the seasons of life and various environments, so that you are positioned to benefit.
Think about it: Some people make more money when the stock market is down than when it is up. This is because they react quickly to position themselves
to exploit any occurrence. Seek to possess a deep and active contentment, even in the midst of struggling. Change is a process of becoming. Always
acknowledge where you have come from, but know the best is yet to come. Sometimes, your best is not good enough, and some things you have to
accept.
Lastly, endure to the end. Good and bad things happen to everyone, but by keeping your head when everyone around you is losing theirs proves your
steadfastness and dependability. People respect those who can be depended on. And that devotion makes all the difference.
Know the seasons. Know who you are dealing with. Know YOURSELF.
Be fluid as water, but hard as rock. That is the only way to deal with change.
Don’t be a flake.
“My son , fear Jehovah and the king. With those who are for a change, do not intermeddle.” -Prov. 24:21
Oh well, I guess I’m telling my age but, lately I cannot shake the feeling that I am trapped in the 1970s. Oil prices are high and currently eating away at my
funds, we are fighting asinine wars, inflation pressure is building and the government is ineffective. Although we are living in a time of rapid change, it
seems more like things are staying the same. You may be up one minute, down the next, and if you live long enough, you will be up again.
Life is uncertain, and it makes promises to no one. It is a series of changes: these changes give rise to choices, these choices lead to adjustments.
Sometimes we initiate the changes, sometimes we react to them. Change can be good, and it can be bad. As creatures of routine and habit, change is not
always welcomed with open arms. How can we cope with change? Perhaps a better question is whether a change is real or just its impact?
Where Do You Get Your Joy?
Age is catching up to me, I wish I could remember where but, I once read that human beings, on a basic level are motivated to change by two things,
pleasure and pain. They will take action to avoid pain and to increase their pleasure. At the root of this is desire. If you want something bad enough, you
will give and do anything for it. Some people believe that desire is an obstacle to self-realization and a peaceful life. However, I believe that desire for the
wrong things and for the wrong reasons presents the real obstacle. To constantly strive to be a better husband/wife/brother/person is not a bad thing.
However, to desire vain pursuits that do not profit or are fleeting is a problem.
Desiring the wrong things is akin to eating fast food every day, although you will be hungry an hour later. It is pointless. People pursue material goods,
public approval, power, etc. although it is fleeting. They run from high to high, and all the while taking themselves through a bunch of unnecessary
changes. Instead of pursuing the giver, they pursue the gifts. Instead of being content with the good, all they can focus on is the bad. This always leads to
distraction. It causes one to focus on the problem rather than the solutions.
We are all guilty of this. We all have pursued something or wanted something that we knew was not meant for us or good for us. No wonder so many
people are unhappy and discontent. They are living on a basic, emotional level and as such, are tossed with the wind. These individuals forget that there is
a world of difference between wanting something and being ready for it (that is another article in itself).
Where do you get your joy? Where do you get your pleasure and validation? No matter what occurs outside, you can see the good and appreciate life in
whatever form it presents itself. I will give you an example. There have been times when I did not have a dime to my name, but I did not panic. It did not
affect my outlook. There have been times, although rare, where I have been flushed with cash. And it still did not matter. This is because I knew that my
financial situation, though it could be better, did not make me a better man nor was it real. Like everything in life, it comes and it goes. Therefore, it would be
foolish to base my self-worth or mental state on something that is constantly in flux.
People Pleasing
The same goes with people. I believe that being addicted to a person or to money is more dangerous than any drug. And a good number of people are
trapped by what people think. People are constantly changing and in flux. One minute they love you the next minute they act like they do not know you. I
would like to call these people, “flakes.” As long as you make them feel good or do something for them, you are their best friend. But how many people
really know you? How many people would love you if you could offer them nothing? How many of them UNDERSTAND and SUPPORT your dreams, goals
and aspirations? Take heed: the life you lead may not be your own.
Scared Money Don’t Make Money
If you can build a solid foundation within and manage your internal changes, then the external changes are nothing. Actions that seem risky to others
become nothing to you because of the character and fortitude you have cultivated within. But how do we get to this point?
I believe that first you have to know what is real. Understand that change is often the top layer and the truth is more often underneath. We might change,
but who we really are at the core does not. So take time to find that person and cultivate him/her. Also, stay grounded and face your fears head on.
Know that failure and success are simply moments in time and do not say anything about you as a person. However, how you interpret and react to
failure and success speaks volumes about your character.
Pay attention. Be aware of the time, internally and externally. Know the seasons of life and various environments, so that you are positioned to benefit.
Think about it: Some people make more money when the stock market is down than when it is up. This is because they react quickly to position themselves
to exploit any occurrence. Seek to possess a deep and active contentment, even in the midst of struggling. Change is a process of becoming. Always
acknowledge where you have come from, but know the best is yet to come. Sometimes, your best is not good enough, and some things you have to
accept.
Lastly, endure to the end. Good and bad things happen to everyone, but by keeping your head when everyone around you is losing theirs proves your
steadfastness and dependability. People respect those who can be depended on. And that devotion makes all the difference.
Know the seasons. Know who you are dealing with. Know YOURSELF.
Be fluid as water, but hard as rock. That is the only way to deal with change.
Don’t be a flake.
