When we celebrate a birthday, especially our own, it is very easy to be a bit self-centred about it. After all, it is a celebrate of one's own birth. But all too often we do not think about the fact that it is also a celebration of our parents' gift of life. And of the very fact that we are alive, and able to live as God's children.
The more self-centred aspect of our birthday is natural. At earlier ages, we are celebrating that we are a year older. We might even be a bit wiser or more mature. This comes with a focus on some age-dependent goal. Then many people go through a period where it doesn't really seem to matter, though we are still quite happy to celebrate this anniversary of our birth. It has a bit of a tone along the lines of: "Yet another year that the world has been enjoying my existence." It may not be that explicitly self-serving but still... And then eventually we might end up in a period of life where we're not quite sure whether we really want to keep getting older.
But in all this we forget that the main aspect of a birthday celebration ought to be giving thanks to God for the fact that we were born, that we have lived, and that we continue to be living. Sure, we have had some impact on the world (be it obvious or not), but that is the application of our God given talents.
So... Today, as part of celebrating my birthday, I went to adoration before the Sacred Sacrament. It is the least I can do to thank God for my birth and for my life. Even then I think I get more out of adoration than our Lord does, but still...
This might be something to consider adopting as a tradition: setting aside some time for adoration before the Sacred Sacrament on birthdays in the family.
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