The first time I tried that greeting on someone, I was quickly reminded that not everyone celebrates Christmas. And of the ones that do, many don't celebrate it as the birthday of Jesus.
So, to save face, I quickly adapted Dale's idea to simply say, “Happy Birthday!” After all, birthdays are something everyone celebrates (albeit some more quietly than others). One of my favorite quotes states, “We are all meant to be mothers of God for God is always needing to be born.” Having said this, Meister Eckhart went on to argued what good is Christ’s birth if it doesn’t take place within me? The same is true about grace, mercy, or love. In the age of chaos in which we find ourselves in today, it’s easy to forget that each day we awake is a new day to celebrate life. And that we'd do better to do so with great purpose. And what greater purpose do we have in life than to love one another. It doesn’t matter your age, whether real or made up, each day is a chance to celebrate anew the life God has given us. Each day is an opportunity to welcome one another, care of each other, to embrace and celebrate every life as if we are embracing and celebrating God. Years ago, I met a man from the Lakota tribe who began every morning with this prayer: "Great Spirit, thank you for my first breath today, and for entrusting me that each breath I take after is mine to do good in the world." Today might not come with cake and candles, but it does offer something just as delicious and bright – a chance to participate in the love and glory of the Divine. And we do that in the many ways we love one another. You may or may not share my faith or belief in my God, the One Creator of all life, but you can't deny that you have been given life - a chance to create something amazing. And so I hope that you will go and celebrate your birthday today in a way that makes love grow by doing good in the world.
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Ian MacdonaldAn ex-copywriter turned punk rock pastor and peacemaker who dedicates his life to making the world a better place for all humanity. "that they all might be one" ~John 17:21“Prius vita quam doctrina.”
~ St. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) * “Life is more important than doctrine.”
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