Birthday's on the Sabbath

[Redguard]

Is it a sin to join a relative on their birthday, to eat cake and hang out, if the birthday is on the Sabbath?

It's my daughter's 4th birthday on Saturday. We've invited some people over to celebrate, including my cousin and her 18m old son.

She refused the invitation saying that she's very strict about letting her son know what is and isn't acceptable on the Sabbath and that she'll bring him by another day in the week. I chuckled in my mind at the thought of an almost 2 yr old arguing with his mom about not being able to attend future birthdays on the Sabbath.

In case you're wondering, she lives down the street and not in another town or country. So the labour involved in travelling to my house wouldn't be much of an issue.

We even scheduled the event for 6pm and made it into a pajama theme to help accomodate this anticipated response.

What are your thoughts?

 

[tall73]

Hi Redguard. Good to see you around these parts.

If I recall correctly there is more to this situation than just the immediate circumstance, correct? There is some ongoing friction?

 

[Redguard]

Hi Redguard. Good to see you around these parts.

If I recall correctly there is more to this situation than just the immediate circumstance, correct? There is some ongoing friction?

Wrong family.

This is a cousin that we're actually in good with.

 

[reddogs]

Is it a sin to join a relative on their birthday, to eat cake and hang out, if the birthday is on the Sabbath?

It's my daughter's 4th birthday on Saturday. We've invited some people over to celebrate, including my cousin and her 18m old son.

She refused the invitation saying that she's very strict about letting her son know what is and isn't acceptable on the Sabbath and that she'll bring him by another day in the week. I chuckled in my mind at the thought of an almost 2 yr old arguing with his mom about not being able to attend future birthdays on the Sabbath.

In case you're wondering, she lives down the street and not in another town or country. So the labour involved in travelling to my house wouldn't be much of an issue.

We even scheduled the event for 6pm and made it into a pajama theme to help accomodate this anticipated response.

What are your thoughts?

Why not celebrate after sundown and avert evil or even the appearance of sin.......

 

[Redguard]

Why not celebrate after sundown and avert evil or even the appearance of sin.......

It's a 4-yr old's birthday and we're in the season where the sun doesn't set until 7:30-8:00pm.

Tots have early bedtimes.

 

[Redguard]

Why not celebrate after sundown and avert evil or even the appearance of sin.......

In regards to the appearance of sin, is it then to be said that birthday celebrations are sinful during the Sabbath?

I ask this because my aunt (this cousin's mother) will be turning 60 and her birthday will land on a Saturday in May. She plans on inviting the church sisters and my family over after church so that they can surprise her and eat lunch after church together.

So, I'm trying to understand what the difference is.

 

[reddogs]

In regards to the appearance of sin, is it then to be said that birthday celebrations are sinful during the Sabbath?

I ask this because my aunt (this cousin's mother) will be turning 60 and her birthday will land on a Saturday in May. She plans on inviting the church sisters and my family over after church so that they can surprise her and eat lunch after church together.

So, I'm trying to understand what the difference is.

I am sure a 4 year old wont know the difference or mind celebrating his birthday on Sunday, only the adults who should know what is correct for them to do will notice.....
I cannot tell someone else how to worship the Lord on His Sabbath, I will let scripture and the Holy Spirit do that:

1. Nehemiah 10:31
   "When the neighboring peoples bring merchandise or grain to sell on the Sabbath, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts.
   Nehemiah 10:30-32 (in Context) Nehemiah 10 (Whole Chapter)
2. Nehemiah 13:15
   In those days I saw men in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, together with wine, grapes, figs and all other kinds of loads. And they were bringing all this into Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Therefore I warned them against selling food on that day.
   Nehemiah 13:14-16 (in Context) Nehemiah 13 (Whole Chapter)
3. Nehemiah 13:16
   Men from Tyre who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them in Jerusalem on the Sabbath to the people of Judah.
   Nehemiah 13:15-17 (in Context) Nehemiah 13 (Whole Chapter)
4. Nehemiah 13:17
   I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this wicked thing you are doing—desecrating the Sabbath day?
   Nehemiah 13:16-18 (in Context) Nehemiah 13 (Whole Chapter)
5. Nehemiah 13:18
   Didn't your forefathers do the same things, so that our God brought all this calamity upon us and upon this city? Now you are stirring up more wrath against Israel by desecrating the Sabbath."
   Nehemiah 13:17-19 (in Context) Nehemiah 13 (Whole Chapter)
6. Nehemiah 13:19
   When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day.
   Nehemiah 13:18-20 (in Context) Nehemiah 13 (Whole Chapter)
7. Nehemiah 13:21
   But I warned them and said, "Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do this again, I will lay hands on you." From that time on they no longer came on the Sabbath.

 

[Redguard]

I am sure a 4 year old wont know the difference or mind celebrating his birthday on Sunday, only the adults who should know what is correct for them to do will notice.....
I cannot tell someone else how to worship the Lord on His Sabbath, I will let scripture and the Holy Spirit do that:

1. Nehemiah 10:31
   "When the neighboring peoples bring merchandise or grain to sell on the Sabbath, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts.
   Nehemiah 10:30-32 (in Context) Nehemiah 10 (Whole Chapter)
2. Nehemiah 13:15
   In those days I saw men in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, together with wine, grapes, figs and all other kinds of loads. And they were bringing all this into Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Therefore I warned them against selling food on that day.
   Nehemiah 13:14-16 (in Context) Nehemiah 13 (Whole Chapter)
3. Nehemiah 13:16
   Men from Tyre who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them in Jerusalem on the Sabbath to the people of Judah.
   Nehemiah 13:15-17 (in Context) Nehemiah 13 (Whole Chapter)
4. Nehemiah 13:17
   I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this wicked thing you are doing—desecrating the Sabbath day?
   Nehemiah 13:16-18 (in Context) Nehemiah 13 (Whole Chapter)
5. Nehemiah 13:18
   Didn't your forefathers do the same things, so that our God brought all this calamity upon us and upon this city? Now you are stirring up more wrath against Israel by desecrating the Sabbath."
   Nehemiah 13:17-19 (in Context) Nehemiah 13 (Whole Chapter)
6. Nehemiah 13:19
   When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day.
   Nehemiah 13:18-20 (in Context) Nehemiah 13 (Whole Chapter)
7. Nehemiah 13:21
   But I warned them and said, "Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do this again, I will lay hands on you." From that time on they no longer came on the Sabbath.

I don't mean any disrespect, reddog, but aren't all those verses overshadowed by what Jesus had to say to the Pharisees in Matthew 12?

 

[TrustAndObey]

Redguard, when I first read this I was assuming you were the Sabbath-keeper and a member of your family wasn't...so I was going to tell you about what a great opportunity this would be about witnessing. HA!

Regardless, I'll tell you what I would do in this situation, because it's actually coming up this Friday night for me.

My niece's 2nd birthday is Friday night at 6. She's about the cutest little thing you've ever seen and I adore her and there's NO WAY I'm going to miss her party. My sister had to schedule the party for Friday night because she has to work on Sabbath (she's not a Sabbath keeper obviously) and on Sunday, which is rare, but it is the case right now.

My sister would've accomodated my beliefs and had the party on Sunday if the circumstances didn't prevent it. She loves and respects me and my beliefs.

But alas, it wasn't possible this time.

I'm going. I'm going to spend a wonderful evening with my niece and I'm going to make sure PRAYER is part of the party before dinner. I'm going to make sure that JESUS is mentioned at this party as well, because my darling niece never gets to hear His name.

Then....I'M NOT GOING TO HELP CLEAN UP ONE BIT OF THE MESS! HAHAHAHAHAHA

But seriously, I want to be there because I love my niece and this is the only day they could have her party, and they have to do it after work on Friday.

I won't let my mind wonder from God though, He made that beautiful child that I love so much!

I don't think your cousin should completely refuse to come, but she has, so I guess you have to respect that. If I were her, I would've used it as a wonderful time to witness.

God bless,
T&O

 

[reddogs]

I don't mean any disrespect, reddog, but aren't all those verses overshadowed by what Jesus had to say to the Pharisees in Matthew 12?

Lord of the Sabbath

1At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. 2When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath."
3He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? 6I tell you that one[a] greater than the temple is here. 7If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,'[b] you would not have condemned the innocent. 8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
9Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"
11He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? 12How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." 13Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. 14But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. Matthew 12:1-13

Here is Matthew 12, would it be to much to ask if you can tell us your interpretation as it seems it is not 'the children's birthday' that are the issue's here....

 

[reddogs]

Redguard, when I first read this I was assuming you were the Sabbath-keeper and a member of your family wasn't...so I was going to tell you about what a great opportunity this would be about witnessing. HA!

Regardless, I'll tell you what I would do in this situation, because it's actually coming up this Friday night for me.

My niece's 2nd birthday is Friday night at 6. She's about the cutest little thing you've ever seen and I adore her and there's NO WAY I'm going to miss her party. My sister had to schedule the party for Friday night because she has to work on Sabbath (she's not a Sabbath keeper obviously) and on Sunday, which is rare, but it is the case right now.

My sister would've accomodated my beliefs and had the party on Sunday if the circumstances didn't prevent it. She loves and respects me and my beliefs.

But alas, it wasn't possible this time.

I'm going. I'm going to spend a wonderful evening with my niece and I'm going to make sure PRAYER is part of the party before dinner. I'm going to make sure that JESUS is mentioned at this party as well, because my darling niece never gets to hear His name.

Then....I'M NOT GOING TO HELP CLEAN UP ONE BIT OF THE MESS! HAHAHAHAHAHA

But seriously, I want to be there because I love my niece and this is the only day they could have her party, and they have to do it after work on Friday.

I won't let my mind wonder from God though, He made that beautiful child that I love so much!

I don't think your cousin should completely refuse to come, but she has, so I guess you have to respect that. If I were her, I would've used it as a wonderful time to witness.

God bless,
T&O

I always look at purpose and apply Gods truth to it (Love God and Love your fellowman) and make my decision from there as I've been to many cuban 'birthday celebrations' which turn into a full fledge "pig roast latin dance festival", Latinos tend to party very hard.........

 

[Redguard]

I always look at purpose and apply Gods truth to it (Love God and Love your fellowman) and make my decision from there as I've been to many cuban 'birthday celebrations' which turn into a full fledge "pig roast latin dance festival", Latinos tend to party very hard.........

There won't be any pig roasting or dancing here. Just cake and kids in hats.

 

[reddogs]

There won't be any pig roasting or dancing here. Just cake and kids in hats.

I think you have already decided what you want to do, all I can tell you is to pray so that the Spirit can give you light on this......

Your Brother in Christ
Red

 

[Redguard]

Redguard, when I first read this I was assuming you were the Sabbath-keeper and a member of your family wasn't...so I was going to tell you about what a great opportunity this would be about witnessing. HA!

Regardless, I'll tell you what I would do in this situation, because it's actually coming up this Friday night for me.

My niece's 2nd birthday is Friday night at 6. She's about the cutest little thing you've ever seen and I adore her and there's NO WAY I'm going to miss her party. My sister had to schedule the party for Friday night because she has to work on Sabbath (she's not a Sabbath keeper obviously) and on Sunday, which is rare, but it is the case right now.

My sister would've accomodated my beliefs and had the party on Sunday if the circumstances didn't prevent it. She loves and respects me and my beliefs.

But alas, it wasn't possible this time.

I'm going. I'm going to spend a wonderful evening with my niece and I'm going to make sure PRAYER is part of the party before dinner. I'm going to make sure that JESUS is mentioned at this party as well, because my darling niece never gets to hear His name.

Then....I'M NOT GOING TO HELP CLEAN UP ONE BIT OF THE MESS! HAHAHAHAHAHA

But seriously, I want to be there because I love my niece and this is the only day they could have her party, and they have to do it after work on Friday.

I won't let my mind wonder from God though, He made that beautiful child that I love so much!

I don't think your cousin should completely refuse to come, but she has, so I guess you have to respect that. If I were her, I would've used it as a wonderful time to witness.

God bless,
T&O

Yeah, see I kinda thought that she'd attend anyway considering that the kid is too young to know the difference. Especially considering the "surprise lunch" that she's holding for her mom, which also happens to be on the Sabbath.

The only exception is that semantics are being used to refrain from referring to it as a birthday party.

So I'm wondering what the difference is.

 

[Redguard]

I think you have already decided what you want to do, all I can tell you is to pray so that the Spirit can give you light on this......

Your Brother in Christ
Red

I know what I'm doing, but I wasn't seeking advice.

I just wanted to engage in some dialogue as to the opinions of birthday parties and the Sabbath.

 

[reddogs]

I know what I'm doing, but I wasn't seeking advice.

I just wanted to engage in some dialogue as to the opinions of birthday parties and the Sabbath.

Really isn't much to say if you already have made up your mind........

 

[Redguard]

Really isn't much to say if you already have made up your mind........

I'm confused.

Do you mean making up my mind in regards to whether I can get feedback from other SDAs about how they'd treat a birthday issue on the Sabbath?

I think you're viewing this as a situation of, "I wonder if I can convert Redguard to think the way that I think". I'm was just looking to get a feeling for your opinions.

 

[reddogs]

I'm confused.

Do you mean making up my mind in regards to whether I can get feedback from other SDAs about how they'd treat a birthday issue on the Sabbath?

I think you're viewing this as a situation of, "I wonder if I can convert Redguard to think the way that I think". I'm was just looking to get a feeling for your opinions.

We can only give testimony and scripture, and leave it to the Holy Spirit to convert..

 

[Redguard]

trustandobey,

I appreciated your response. You were the only one who was able to give me a straightforward and relevant opinion to my inquiry.

 

[reddogs]

trustandobey,

I appreciated your response. You were the only one who was able to give me a straightforward and relevant opinion to my inquiry.

Since you had made up your mind, it seems to me the question to us was not a completely honest one to begin with......