On the Fifteenth Day of Christmas

We love celebrating birthdays and don’t stop at the people just living in our home. It's Christmas time, honoring the birth of our king as a baby…in other words, Jesus’ birthday and this too, needs to be celebrated. Every year we have a birthday party for Jesus on Christmas night which accompanies the “Happy birthday song”, once all the gifts are opened and played with. It gives us a beautiful time to ponder and praise God.

Well, for Nathan’s class project on “Christmas traditions”, due today, we shared that we make a birthday cake for Jesus and the symbolism we use to teach or remind us of what the Word says.


Owen and I got the cake ready during school (so much fun) then brought it to Nathan’s cottage fair along with handouts for classmates to take home with them, and plates, napkins, and utensils so they can have a yummy bite. Nathan was so excited to share this favorite tradition!

Here’s the recipe for those that didn’t get it four years ago when I had it on our Christmas card…

Begin with a chocolate cake, to symbolize our sin, dark in God’s own eyes (Romans 3:23). Next, layer it with white frosting just as Christ’s purity covers our sins (Isaiah 1:18).

On top of the cake put a yellow star to signify the one that shone over Jesus’ manger (Matthew 2:1-2), an angel to indicate the first glad tidings (Luke 2:9-10), and candles to show that Christ is the light of the world (John 8:12). Make sure there are 12 candles to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world throughout the 12 months of the year, not just at Christmas and make sure they are red, symbolizing His blood shed for us (Matthew 26:27-28).

Finally, put some evergreens on the cake to signify everlasting life (John 3:16), God’s gift to those who receive it.

Don’t underestimate the shape of the cake too. The entire cake should be shaped circular to demonstrate that God is “eternal”, He has no beginning or ending (Isaiah 4:6, Revelation 1:8, and 1 Timothy 1:17).

Enjoy it as a family on Christmas day. Don’t forget to sing a round or two of “Happy Birthday” and possibly leave a seat of honor at your dinner table celebration, as God is always with us (Matthew 28:20 reminds us, “Surely, I will be with you always…”).