""Happy Birthday, Jesus", on a Christmas cake?.… Why don't you put "Merry Christmas on it?""

Arlington, VA – December 20, 2001 – A friend who teaches a Bible class to first graders wanted to impress them with the true meaning of Christmas, so she went to the local bakery to order a cake for a party. She told the young man at the bakery that she wanted to order a birthday cake that said, "Happy Birthday, Jesus" on it. He said, "Jesus? Like, you mean…Jesus??" She said that yes, it was because it was a Christmas cake. He said, "Well if it is a Christmas cake, why don't you put "Merry Christmas" on it? Why would you put "Happy Birthday Jesus on it?" She went on to explain to him that Christmas was Jesus' birthday and that she wanted the kids to be reminded of that. He still did not understand why a birthday cake for Jesus was appropriate for Christmas and finally conceded by saying, "OK, Whatever you say, lady."

Unfortunately, the young man's lack of understanding about the true meaning of Christmas is all too common. Our culture has buried baby Jesus underneath a pile of materialistic and secular traditions that do not relate to the reason the day is to be celebrated. Even if the traditions do have spiritual meanings, they have been forgotten. Our evergreen trees remind of us of everlasting life through Jesus, the lights of His light coming into the dark world, and the symbols of stars remind us of the star that heralded His birth. Angels sang at His birth and so we sing carols at Christmas. Gift giving is a reminder to us of the most precious Gift ever given, the Son of God given to the world as Savior. As the magi gave gifts to baby Jesus at His birth, we give gifts of love to others.

For centuries before His birth, Jesus had been anticipated. We see in the scriptures of the Old Testament that the Jews were expecting a baby to be born who would be their triumphant King. He would be from the lineage of David, their great king. Isaiah 7:13-14 says, (NIV) "Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! … The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Micah 5:2-4 (NIV) "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."… He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth." So a virgin giving birth in Bethlehem to a baby in the line of David who would be known all over the world was exactly what the wisemen were looking for from ancient scriptures. How have we, who know the rest of the life and death and resurrection story of Jesus, lost the significance of what happened that night?

Those who know Jesus are commanded to tell others about Him. A birthday party for Jesus is one way of doing that. Honoring him with gifts of love and service to others is another way to express our gratitude for the gift of eternal life He has given us. Romans 6:23 (NIV) explains that we were given the greatest gift, " For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." And Col. 3:17 (NIV) reminds us, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

The Christmas story is given in scripture in the following places: Matthew chapter one and Luke chapter two.

The above true story by Judith Levin happened this December 2001. When I heard it from her husband at a recent bible study it inspired me to create www.HappyBirthdayJesus.net. I asked Judith to write down her account of that day and now it is available for all the world to see. To know that the true meaning of Christmas is not waiting in long lines at the mall or anticipating gifts from others. It is about Jesus and his eternal gift to us, his children. For we are all here for but a grain of sand in time, and for as many grains of sand as there are on earth, eternity is far greater.

On www.HappyBirthdayJesus.net people can read the above story, submit their own story, learn how to make a birthday cake for Jesus and see pictures of them, send a "Happy Birthday, Jesus" ecard to friends and loved ones and spread the message of the true meaning of Christmas. Christ Jesus.

True Story By Judith Levin, Great Falls Virginia.
www.HappyBirthdayJesus.net by Russ Trible, Arlington Virginia.
For information go to: www.HappyBirthdayJesus.net or
Contact: rtrible@experce.com
Phone: 703-524-7590





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