God in our Celebrations

In our house there are things that usually happen with every birthday. Somehow birthdays don’t seem complete without them. We have cake with candles, we sing “Happy Birthday,” we give presents, and then my husband puts on the Beatles’ "Birthday" from their White Album and plays it really loud. Sometimes, especially when the kids were young, we’d jump around and dance. Traditions like these help us mark special times in our lives and bring us together.

Losing your first tooth, starting school, getting a driver’s license, and graduating are also times that we mark in different ways. Yet, we sometimes miss the opportunity to remember God in these celebrations. I am not suggesting that God isn’t there—of course he is. But when we aren’t explicit in pointing out that these times are an opportunity to reflect on God’s work in our lives we miss a chance for all of us to grow in our faith.

This year when our daughter Lynnae turned 19 we added something to the birthday celebration. Lynnae got out the candle that was presented to us at her baptism. She lit it and said a few words about how this candle reminds all of us how God has been and will continue to be present in her life.

As you begin another season of family celebrations, look for places and times where you can pause and say a few words to remind yourself and your family that each of these milestones is a gift from God and that God is faithful.

When have you been especially reminded of God’s presence and faithfulness?


--Laura Keeley is director of children’s ministries at 14th Street Christian Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan. She is also the mother of four children and coauthor with her husband Robert J. Keeley of the book Celebrating the Milestones of Faith.