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Most of us want the important people in our lives to know we wish the best for them on their birthdays. That’s why many of us also don’t feel that simply saying “Happy Birthday” is enough. We want our words or gestures to be more meaningful in some capacity.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Religious Birthday Wishes for a Spouse or Partner
- Religious Birthday Wishes for Mom, Dad, or Grandparents
- Religious Birthday Wishes for a Sister or Sister-in-Law
- Religious Birthday Wishes for a Brother or Brother-in-Law
- Religious Birthday Wishes for Your Child or Grandchild
- Religious Birthday Wishes for a Friend
This may be particularly important to you if you're religious. Like religious thank you messages, religious birthday wishes are often very powerful, as they resonate with one’s core beliefs.
The religious birthday wishes and gestures listed here will help you wish a loved one happy birthday in a truly meaningful way. Keep them in mind the next time an important birthday comes around.
Religious Birthday Wishes for a Spouse or Partner
Use these religious birthday wishes to let your partner know just how much you love them.
1. “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy” from Christianity
This Bible quote is worth sharing with a partner or spouse for two reasons. It expresses the hope that God will give your loved one a joyful life, while also suggesting that they also already play this role in your life.
2. “Being greatly loved by someone gives you strength” from Taoism
Add this Lao Tzu quote to a Happy Birthday card for your spouse. It will show them that, through your love, you hope to provide them strength.
3. “Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” from Christianity
Some Christian couples with a sense of humor share this religious birthday wish with each other, wishing their partners long lives, while also jokingly reminding them not to cheat!
4. Giving a lotus flower from Buddhism
Because giving a partner flowers along with a happy birthday message is already a common gift idea, if your partner or spouse is Buddhist, you might want to specifically give them a lotus, which has major significance for Buddhists.
5. Giving to charity from Judaism
Although donating to charity in a spouse or partner’s name on their birthday is appropriate in any religion, it sends a particularly heartfelt religious birthday wish for someone Jewish because
Judaism specifically recommends donating to charity on your birthday. Matching your partner’s donation is thus a kind gesture.
Religious Birthday Wishes for Mom, Dad, or Grandparents
Parents or grandparents with strong religious beliefs often love it when their children or grandchildren think to share religious birthday wishes such as these:
6. “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” from Christianity
Many aging people (whether they be parents or grandparents) become very conscious of their own mortality as the years progress.
This can sometimes make birthdays stressful. Psalm 90:12 puts a positive spin on this common experience by pointing out that recognizing your own mortality is key to achieving true wisdom.
7. “Drop by drop is the water pot filled; likewise, the wise man, gathering it little by little, fills himself with good” from Buddhism
Want to let a parent or grandparent know you respect the wisdom they’ve acquired over the years and wish them to continue accumulating more goodness and wisdom? This quote that most scholars attribute to Buddha will do the trick.
8. “ad meah v’esrim” from Judaism
This common Jewish birthday greeting translates to “may you live until 120!” The number 120 is significant because, in the book of Genesis, God dictates that no human shall live past this age. Additionally, important figures such as Moses lived until 120.
9. “Happy Shastipoorthi!” from Hinduism
This is a nice informal birthday wish for a Hindu dad who just turned 60, as Shastipoorthi is the Hindu celebration for a man’s 60th birthday.
10. “For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life” from Christianity
Psalm 9:11 is perfect for an aging grandparent who may be nearing the end of their life because it reminds Christians that living a faithful life ensures a happy existence after death. You might also consider using this verse in a prayer if you’re wishing someone Happy Birthday in Heaven.
Religious Birthday Wishes for a Sister or Sister-in-Law
Strengthen your bond with a sister on her special day through these religious birthday wishes.
11. Reciting Birthday Prayer #1 from Catholicism
Some Catholics wish family members a happy birthday by reciting a simple prayer that many Catholic organizations simply refer to as Birthday Prayer #1. You can find it on various Catholic websites with a quick Google search.
12. “Let us rejoice in this day and be glad” from Christianity
It’s a simple message, but it’s also one of the most popular Bible verses Christians share with each other on birthdays for a reason!
13. “Happy Seijin Shiki” from Shinto
Seijin Shiki, which essentially translates to Adults’ Day, is the day when a member of the Shinto religion reaches the age of 20. Congratulate your sister when she reaches this milestone!
14. “Yishar koḥakha or Yasher ko'akh” from Judaism
Let a sister know you’re proud of her with this Hebrew phrase meant to congratulate someone on success and wish them continued success in the future.
15. James 1:17–18 from Christianity
This short Bible passage is ideal for both a sister or a sister-in-law, as it directly involves thanking God for one’s sisters and praying that He will bless them on their birthdays.
Religious Birthday Wishes for a Brother or Brother-in-Law
If you and your brother or brother-in-law share religious beliefs, they’re sure to appreciate one of these wishes.
16. “Ḥazak ve-emaẓ” from Judaism
Send this traditional Jewish wish, which translates to “Be strong and good of course,” to a younger brother. Many often use it to congratulate boys who’ve completed their bar mitzvah.
17. “Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship” from Islam
You might send this Quran verse to a brother or brother-in-law on their birthday morning to help them start the day with a positive and optimistic attitude.
18. Congratulate them for completing Amrit Sanksar from Sikhism
Amrit Sanksar is the most important rite of passage in Sikhism, when a Sikh becomes fully baptized. Because it can occur at any age, and because it’s so important, you may have an opportunity to congratulate your brother on the first birthday he has after completing the rite.
19. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” from Taoism
Inspire a younger brother on a significant birthday with this Lao Tzu quote. It will help them look forward to many more years of growth and success.
20. “Happy birthday! May God give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed” from Christianity
This Christian blessing from a psalm is ideal for letting a brother or brother-in-law know you support their endeavors on their birthday.
Religious Birthday Wishes for Your Child or Grandchild
Birthdays are particularly important occasions for children. These religious birthday wishes will help you acknowledge that importance.
21. “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” from Christianity
This Bible verse, Psalm 91:11, is ideal for a young child’s birthday because it expresses the belief (and wish!) that God will protect a child throughout their life.
22. “All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger” from Islam
Muslim scholars generally state that Islam absolutely allows people to celebrate their birthdays, but if they want to incorporate religion into their birthday, it’s important that they take the opportunity to praise and thank Allah.
23. Sing “Hayom yom huledet” from Judaism
“Hayom yom huledet” uses the tune of “Happy Birthday” but swaps out the English lyrics for Hebrew lyrics. Along with singing the song, sending a Jewish child a few different downloadable versions of it could make for an easy but heartfelt digital gift!
24. Offering sweetmeats and prayers from Hinduism
In many Hindu families, it’s customary to offer a sweetmeat and prayers for a child on their birthday.
25. Reciting Jeremiah 1:15 from Catholicism
Some Catholics wish a child a happy birthday with a blessing from Jeremiah 1:15 expressing hope that they may receive God’s gifts.
Religious Birthday Wishes for a Friend
Religious birthday wishes can also be perfect for friends! Consider these examples:
26. “Mazel Tov” from Judaism
Sure, this is a common way to send birthday wishes to a Jewish friend, but that’s because its meaning encourages celebration!
27. “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul” from Christianity
This religious birthday wish, 3 John 1:2, will help you easily tell a friend you hope they continue to remain healthy and happy over the course of the next year of their life.
28. Reciting the Ekadasha Rudra Mantra from Hinduism
Ekadasha Rudra Mantra is actually a set of mantras, each corresponding to a month. Hindus believe reciting the mantra for your birth month will bring you various benefits.
However, because it’s acceptable to recite a mantra even if it doesn’t correspond to your birth month, reciting a friend’s mantra with them is a perfect way to wish someone Happy Birthday.
29. Giving traditional gifts from Wicca/Paganism
Many practicing Wiccans celebrate birthdays in familiar ways, giving friends gifts. However, they often choose gifts specifically related to their beliefs, such as tarot cards, incense, and spellbooks.
30. “My birthday prayer for you: May you be filled with joy” from Christianity
Some of the sweetest religious birthday wishes for a friend can also be some of the simplest, as this blessing from Colossians proves.
Religious Birthday Wishes: Celebrating Spiritually
Hopefully, at least a few of these religious birthday wishes will help you celebrate someone’s birthday in the future. You could make a loved one’s day if you send the right wish to the right person!
Sources
- “6 mantras of Lord Shiva that are powerful enough to solve all your problems.” The Times of India, The Times of India, 29 July 2019, timesofindia.indiatimes.com/astrology/hindu-mythology/6-mantras-of-lord-shiva-that-are-powerful-enough-to-solve-all-your-problems/articleshow/70427560.cms
- “7 Birthday Prayers and Blessings for Sister.” ConectUS, CONNECTUSFUND, 3 April 2019, connectusfund.org/7-birthday-prayers-and-blessings-for-sister
- “Amrit ceremony.” BBC, BBC, 27 October 2009, www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/ritesrituals/amrit.shtml
- “Bible Verses About a Birthday.” King James Bible Online, King James Bible Online, www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Birthday/
- “Blessing on a Child’s Birthday.” United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/child-birthday-blessing.cfm
- Frere, Jackie. “14 Bible Verses to Celebrate Every Kind of Birthday.” Woman’s Day, Hearst Magazine Media, Inc., 13 October 2019, www.womansday.com/life/inspirational-stories/g28973751/bible-verses-for-birthday/?slide=12
- “Hebrew: Greetings & Congratulations.” Jewish Virtual Library, American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise, www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/hebrew-greetings-and-congratulations
- Hostetler, Bob. “7 Ways to Pray for Someone on Their Birthday.” Guideposts, Guideposts, 3 February 2020, www.guideposts.org/faith-and-prayer/prayer-stories/how-to-pray/7-ways-to-pray-for-someone-on-their-birthday
- “How to celebrate birthday.” Hinduism for Kids, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, www.hindujagruti.org/hinduism-for-kids/47.html
- “Islam’s Stance on Celebrating Birthdays.” Islam Online, Islam Online, archive.islamonline.net/717
- Peltz, Micah. “The Jewish Birthday Blessing That Teaches Us to Count.” Haaretz, Haaretz Daily Newspaper Ltd., 19 May 2013, www.haaretz.com/jewish/.premium-the-birthday-blessing-that-teaches-us-to-count-1.5243347
- “Seijin Shiki (Adults' Day).” BBC, BBC, 16 September 2009, www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/holydays/seijinshiki.shtml
- “Shasti Poorthi.”, English Encyclopedia, Encyclo desktop, www.encyclo.co.uk/meaning-of-Shashti_Poorthi
- Wagoner, Lisa. “Birthdays: Pagan, Witchy Style.” Patheos, Patheos, 15 March 2019, www.patheos.com/blogs/witchindeed/2019/03/birthdays-pagan-witchy-style/
- Zaklikowski, David. “How Do Jews Celebrate Birthdays?” Chabad.org, Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center, www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/481087/jewish/How-Do-Jews-Celebrate-Birthdays.htm
- Zaltzman, Lior. “How to Sing Happy Birthday in Hebrew.” Kveller, Kveller, www.kveller.com/article/yom-huledet-sameach-happy-birthday-in-hebrew/
