Spiritual Birthdays: 3 Reasons to Celebrate Your Grandchild’s Salvation

I never knew exactly when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Certainly not the date. 

But I always wished I could. 

It’s a significant moment and one worth celebrating.

I was raised in a variety of denominations as Mom and Dad tried to hash out his Southern Baptist background with her Lutheran/Episcopalian one. I prayed “the prayer” often, have been baptized at least four times (christened once, dipped three), and attended confirmation class in middle school. As an adult, I remember God speaking to me while I was out on a run. He reminded me that the work had been done and told me to stop wheeling and dealing. 

So, I did. 

That date was December 7, 2000. Was God moving when I was a child? Yes, I believe He was, but I remember my adult experience best, so I claim that date. 

When I had kids, I made a commitment to note the date of each child’s salvation and to celebrate it—and I still do, even though they’ve left the nest. 

Why?

1. Gravity: God-moments have gravity, but too often, they slip by unrecorded and are later forgotten. Spiritual birthdays recognize the significance of God moving in a person’s heart. 

John 6:44 reads, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them.”

Habakkuk 2:2-3 says. “Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” 

Let the salvation experience be the first of many journal entries—even if your grandchild is very young. Start the habit of recording God-moments and answered prayer. A written record can serve as a lifeline during future struggles. 

Remember what God did. 

Remember when God spoke. 

Remember how God moved. 

2. Growth Gained: Jeans that are too short. Sneakers that pinch. We’d be concerned if we didn’t have to buy the kids a new wardrobe each year. 

Spiritual birthdays celebrate growth. 

The hard-fought victories. The stretching. The being pushed out of the comfort zone. Growth is normal and expected.

Ephesians 4:15-16 reads, ^“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” 

2 Thessalonians 1:3 says, “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.”

1 Peter 2:2-3 reads, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

2 Peter 3:18 reads, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 

Encourage the birthday boy or girl by giving evidence of the last year’s progress. Patience. Leadership. A new freedom in worship. Self-control. These are praiseworthy both to God Himself and for the one who walked them out in obedience. Celebrate!

3. Growth to Come: Spiritual birthdays present a great time to reflect and to set goals for the coming year. 

2 Peter 1:5-8 says, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

Gifts make tackling those new goals fun. Keep them age-appropriate but think outside the box. What boy wouldn’t love a biography of King David—if it came with a genuine shepherd’s sling? 

Or perhaps a special piece of jewelry or family heirloom for an older granddaughter to commemorate the occasion?

Family and friends can offer prayer and accountability as the birthday kid identifies new areas that could use some work. 

Add spiritual birthdays to your list of family traditions. Keep track of your grandchildren’s salvation decisions and celebrate! My Spiritual Birthday Celebrations bundle offers a fictional story which explains the concept, a Spiritual Growth Chart, and a sheet with tips for celebrating and suggested gifts.

Let’s pray: Father, may every child in our family have a spiritual birthday as You move and they respond to You. May we as adults be faithful to celebrate them. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Happy Birthday! Let’s celebrate!

Resources:

Celebrating Spiritual Birthdays bundle

Next episode on The Christian Grandparenting Podcast: Build a Better Easter Basket for Your Grandchild