We only read the word “birthday” on two occasions in the Bible, yet there is an eerie similarity between them. The first was Pharaoh’s birthday in Genesis 40, when he made a great feast and the baker was beheaded as a part of the celebration (40:19-22). The second was Herod’s 
birthday in Mark 6, when he made a great feast and John the Baptist was beheaded as part of the celebration (6:21-29). Two birthday celebrations that resulted in two beheadings!
This made me wonder if there is any modern-day application. Unfortunately, I think there is. How often is someone’s birthday the time when they “go out for a drink” or “try to get lucky”? Where is their Head (capital “H”), Jesus, on that day? How often does someone decide to give themselves “a break from church” on their birthday and sleep in and reward themselves on Sunday? What about their Head, Jesus? Our birthday should NOT be a day when, for our own relaxation and celebration, we separate ourselves from our Head for a “me” day! Instead, it should be a day when we “give” ourselves even more “to Him” in thanksgiving!