This past week it was Vicki’s birthday so to honor her and celebrate with her I wanted to get her a card. I’m always up for a little humor, so I thought about getting her a funny card with these endearing thoughts: “Birthdays are like boogers, the more you have, the harder it is to breathe.” Maybe true, but I didn’t want to ruin her day.
Then I ran across a card with these kind words: “I notice how hard you work to make things the best that they can be. I notice how much you give, never expecting anything in return. I notice that you never forget to play or laugh or love or make me feel important.”
Or these reflective thoughts: “Happy Birthday. And I’m celebrating us—our sharing, our planning together, and always, the laughter and love that keeps us going and fills the ordinary days with moments to remember. I love you so much.”
And this wonderful tribute: “To My Beautiful Wife. You’re a gift from God. When I see the way you care for the family and all you do for us, I realize how many moments just wouldn’t happen and how many blessings would be missing if not for you…”
And this narcissistic blessing: “Thank you for letting me be me, for loving me as I am, and understanding me so well… how lucky I am to be married to you. Happy Birthday” I’m surprised it didn’t say, “How lucky you are to be married to ME!”
Hey, have you ever noticed that the focus of the message expressed in a birthday card is mostly on the person giving the card. Basically, most birthday greetings are actually thank yous; thank you for sacrificing your life so that my/our life could be better.
Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been thinking about what to get Jesus for his birthday. So far I have decided to help someone in his name and to get along with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Because I was looking for a card for Vicki, I thought I would look for a birthday card for Jesus too. Guess what, I couldn’t find one. Oh well, probably not that big of a deal. I’m sure the message of the card would also focus on me. The message might be something like this: “To My Wonderful Savior. You are a gift from God. I notice what you gave up to save me. I love how you make me feel. I don’t know what I would do without you. I know I should tell you I love you more, but I don’t. Thank you for loving me so much. I bet you’re glad I accepted you into my heart. Happy Birthday!”
Please don’t read what I’m not writing. I am truly grateful for all that Jesus has done for me, but I think the third gift I want to give Jesus for his birthday is my worship. I’m going to focus my worship on adoring Jesus for who he is. “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain—to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing… “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever” (Revelation 5:12-13). Happy Birthday!
I hope you will join me in giving Jesus your undivided worship for his birthday—regardless of what he has or hasn’t done for you.
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Mike