Celebrate Your Birthday – Regardless

Sunday, August 10, 2025

The Rev. Dr. Sigrid Rother (she/her)

Pastor, Westerville Community United Church of Christ

Allied Christian

“For it was you, who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed” (Psalm 139:13-16).

I love to see how other people celebrate their birthdays. Some people are very creative and do something besides cake and ice cream.

Recently, my friends did something extraordinary: One husband prepared gifts and surprises for the other husband all month long. These gifts were not all monetary gifts. The majority of gifts were expressions of time, and love for each other- either memories of time spent together or events planned for in the future. The receiving husband posted pictures of this month-long celebration on social media. Every day for 30 days, we witnessed the excitement, dedication, and love between them. It was so much fun to enjoy their month-long birthday celebration together.

Happy birthday to you – regardless of when your birthday is. Celebrate you. You are made in the image of God. You are created by and with love. You are God’s masterpiece—regardless of what the voices (in your head or outside voices) tell you. You are unique—and there is only one of you—even if you are an identical twin. There is no second you in the whole wide world—and that’s to be celebrated. You are loved. God created you.