Most families celebrate their children’s birthdays. These celebrations may include family and friends gathering for a special meal and cake with ice cream. Presents are given, and everyone sings “Happy Birthday to You.” The birthday boy or girl blows out the candles on the cake to cheers.
Families often invest a lot into celebrating their child’s birthday, but frequently their “re-birthday” passes unnoticed. As Christians, we can celebrate not just the day of our birth but also the day of our Baptism. The first step to celebrating Baptism birthdays is to identify the Baptism dates for each family member. Your church office can be a great resource for finding this information if you aren’t sure of the exact date. Record these dates on your calendar—of even in a family Bible—for future reference.
Honor and Remember
Once dates are identified, consider ways to honor and celebrate your family’s Baptism birthdays.
- Light a Candle Some congregations give a candle representing the light of Christ to the newly baptized. Light the candle each year as you celebrate the child’s Baptism birthday. Larger Baptism memory candles with numbers from one to twenty-one are also available. These can be lit at each annual Baptism birthday celebration.
- Sing During family devotions or over supper, sing together a baptismal hymn such as “Father Welcomes” (LSB 605; OAR 255) or “God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It” (LSB 594; OAR 252). Sing “God’s Blessings to You” to the tune of “Happy Birthday to You” for the Baptism birthday honoree as a reminder of the day God welcomed them into His family.
- Observe When your congregation celebrates the Baptism of a child or adult, guide your children to watch and listen carefully. Remind them of the day they were baptized into the family of believers.
- Share Memories Kids love to see pictures of themselves at a younger age. If possible, gather pictures from their Baptism and assemble a small album of these photos. Parents could share similar photo albums of their own Baptisms. Display the honoree’s Baptism certificate, banner, or other mementos of the day.
- Enjoy a Special Meal Let the guest of honor choose their favorite menu. Cake, cupcakes, or another favorite dessert can wrap up your Baptism birthday celebration.
- Give a Baptism Gift Choose a special Bible story book, devotional, decorative cross, or similar item for the person celebrating their Baptism birthday.
Simple Celebrations
Baptism birthday celebrations don’t need to be elaborate, but they do serve to remind each person in your family of the day they became a child of God. Help everyone in your family enjoy and remember their special day.
Original Author: Dr. Lisa M Clark, Senior Editor, Curriculum Resources Codirector, Words of Worship Concordia Publishing House