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Focal verse
“Be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to one another, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts” (Ephesians 5:18-19).
Reflection
I spend many Sundays supply preaching, filling in for colleagues while they’re away. I’m currently preaching twice a month at two churches. The first time I served at one of them, I was given a list of birthdays and anniversaries to announce. But when I read the names, no one on the list was there that Sunday. Before moving on, I asked, “Do we still sing?”
A woman quickly chimed in from her pew, “We sing.” And she began singing “Happy Birthday.” Everyone joined in: “Happy birthday! God bless you.”
At the other church, I had the same experience. But I knew better this time. The congregation soon joined their voices together: “Happy birthday to you!”
By the time I started filling in more regularly, I knew the rundown of the services. And I know that every week I’ll receive a list of names of those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. Most Sundays, the honorees are absent.
But we still sing.
I admit, it felt awkward at first, singing to people who aren’t there. I don’t know the members’ backstories. Some of them could have moved or found another church. Others may just have gotten out of the habit of coming. I’m used to singing for birthday parties and watching the candles flicker before someone blows them out. But to sing to people who aren’t with us? I don’t know. I wasn’t convinced. But who was I to change anything?
It only took five months to change my mind. Now I find myself looking forward to the morning birthday and anniversary time. I join in with my voice, whether the birthday person is present or not. No matter what, if someone connected to the congregation has a birthday in the coming week, we sing for them.
Perhaps singing “Happy Birthday” every week, lifting up the names of people we haven’t seen in a while, who are sick or who have moved away is a form of prayer—of holding someone in the joy of being remembered. Maybe it’s one way to truly be the body of Christ, by keeping our neighbors close in our hearts. Singing “Happy Birthday,” like prayer, changes the people who are singing. And for those who are being honored, they know that if it’s their birthday, even if they aren’t at church, someone will be singing to them.
Maybe it’s a way to say, “I know you. I love you. We’re thinking of you.”
Thank God I didn’t change this tradition, no matter how ridiculous I felt. Because the singing, the reminder that we’re never forgotten, is changing me. One “happy birthday” at a time.
Practices
- Reach out to your school, church or local nursing home and see if you can get a list of names of people celebrating birthdays. Write cards as a family and sing “Happy Birthday” while you do so. Lift them up in prayer.
- Sign up for a free monthly gift subscription. Paraclete Post is a mail-based family ministry that sends a book, artwork and a letter with prompts for conversation and spiritual play ideas directly to your home every month.
Prayer practice
When someone you love has a birthday, write a blessing to them. Send a card or text and tell them how grateful you are for them. Share the hopes you have for them in the coming year. Ask for God’s peace and care to be with them.
