My oldest grandson turned thirteen last Sunday. I’ll not go into how that made me feel. That’s a different post. But I couldn’t help but think about how this was the first birthday I wasn’t there to celebrate with him in person. Last March, he and his family moved out of state and left me here grandchild-less. The nerve!

So Sunday we called and wished him a happy birthday. He told us all the things they’d done and what they still planned to do. And that’s when it occurred to me that birthdays are another chance to worship. Not only should we celebrate the life of the birthday child, but also the Giver of that life. What would happen if we spent part of every birthday celebration in worship and thanksgiving to the One who breathed life into the one we celebrate that day? Here are a few ideas you might want to try at your next birthday celebration.

1. Make up another verse to the birthday song that thanks God for the birthday child. For instance, “We thank You for John. We thank You for John. You gave John life. We thank You for John.” How many verses can you come up with?

2. Instead of having a child make a wish when he blows out his birthday candles, have him say a silent prayer. Explain how prayers go straight to God–someone who can actually answer them–while wishes just blow away in the wind.

3. Decorate your party with homemade decorations. Have everyone in the family write one thing they love about the beautiful creation that is your child and hang up the signs all over the house. Celebrate the child and the Creator who made him.

4. Teach your children Genesis 2:7. “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Recite it together every birthday as a reminder that God gives us our life and breath.

Birthdays are special days and it’s wonderful to celebrate them with those we love. But to put a special twist on them, celebrate the Giver of life, too. It could become a new family tradition your children will love.

What other ways can you think of to celebrate the Creator on birthdays?