I remember when I would go to my friends’ birthday parties, the best ones were either at McDonald’s or a bowling party. But most were at someone’s house where we had hats, a cake, and maybe some ice cream. For party favors, we would receive a balloon OR one of the kazoo streamers (I’m not sure what they’re called). And at the end of the party, I went home happy having had so much fun. I’m afraid because of our wealth-laden, kids worshipping culture (and even church culture), the birthday parties of today are not just grand, but would put William Randolph Heart’s parties to shame (ok, that’s an exaggeration, I think).
Read this article by ABC News entitled, “The Glamorous Life: Kiddie Birthday Parties.” Some are spending upwards of $50,000 on kids birthday parties. Now I know that most are not spending this much money. But how many of us fret so much to make sure that our kids’ birthday parties are up to par with others’ shindigs? A few questions to consider when planning or attending a kids’ birthday party:
1. Am I more concerned about celebrating God’s grace through my child or my reputation through my child?
2. Do I judge people on the basis of the gifts that my child receives? Do I judge myself on the basis of the gifts that I give to others? Am I free to give what I can afford rather than trying to uphold a reputation on what I give?
3. Will my child be willing to accept a party that is “lesser in extravagance” than others? Why or why not? Have you had discussions with your child about being joyous in all things?
I am afraid we are dreadfully succumbing to the deadly traps of wealth. Paul warns Timothy and the church:
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction (1 Timothy 6:9)
What most people who are caught up with keeping up with the Jones’ in regard to these birthday parties fail to realize, is that such a heart ultimately is detrimental to one’s child. If Paul is right here, then the parents of such children are cultivating harmful desires that lead to destruction. This harmful desire is the lust of entitlement and every child who is worshiped by his or her parents in this way will live as though they are the center of the world. Such a person quickly becomes hardened to the Gospel, a Gospel that says one’s greatest joy is found in Christ.
I was a little surprised when I read this post. I know stuff like this happens, but I guess I always assumed it’s happening “out there” maybe by those I guess in a different financial bracket than I am.
When I plan a party, it’s based on what the child will enjoy. Maybe the other parties I’ve attended have given me ideas of things that were a lot of fun, and things that weren’t. But that’s all. I guess, for those children, whose parents are keeping up with the Jones’, their birthday becomes a lot like Christs. So focused on ‘stuff’ that the guest of honor is forgotten.
Posted by flyawaynet | June 28, 2007, 6:38 amIt also seems that birthday parties, being huge extravaganzas, are delayed until the weekend and occur on Sundays now so people skip church to celebrate their little brats. Or perhaps that’s just a cynical pastor’s view.
Posted by jeff | June 29, 2007, 5:20 amWow Jeff, that is a bit cynical. I think the reality is that sinners parent sinners. And left to our own, we would and are “little brats,” hence the necessity for the Gospel.
Posted by admin | July 2, 2007, 3:50 pm