While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. Matthew 9:10 (NIV)

Birthdays are a great opportunity to celebrate life. Despite the ups and downs we may have experienced, it is a new birth year, the possibilities of realising our hopes and dreams lay ahead, we have been given the blessing of life.

Some of my fondest memories have been celebrating a birthday with family and friends.

I remember going out with one of my friends who shares the same birth month. We would research restaurants that we have never been to and decide to visit one that we liked the best, it would be our culinary adventure! If we enjoyed the food and the atmosphere then this would be our choice for a birthday venue, and invite our friends to come along.

We have explored many types of cuisines, and enjoyed the opportunity of creating a close bond with friends that have lasted a lifetime.

Spending time together in this fast paced world is an important way to celebrate life. To value the people that are significant in our lives, those individuals who make life special.

In the Bible we often see Jesus spending time with His friends, eating together. And later after Jesus returned to heaven, the early church continued to meet together in this way. It helped to develop unity, they cared for and supported each other, and were able to give thanks to God for all that He had done for them.

Let us be grateful for each new day, and every birthday we are blessed to see. Let us celebrate life, because even though at times things are tough, life is a blessing.