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A Birthday Party for the King: Cookeville’s Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration Brings Joy and Unity
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — On a crisp December evening, the sound of worship music and laughter filled the air as families gathered downtown to celebrate the birth of Jesus — not with presents or shopping, but with praise, fellowship, and birthday cake.
The Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration, held on December 21, 2024, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the parking lot next to Walnut Park, marked the first time the event was formally coordinated across multiple churches and ministries in Cookeville. The result was nothing short of joyful unity.
“We’re a group of local Christ followers that want to celebrate the birth of Jesus with a big party,” said Kelly Parkison, the original organizer. She was quick to add, “Come join us for all of the festivities — this is all about Him.”
Local musician Jesse Atkinson and a team of fellow worship leaders joined together on stage to guide the evening’s worship celebration — a heartfelt reminder that Christmas is a time to gather, rejoice, and lift high the name of Jesus.
Families arrived bundled in coats and Christmas spirit, greeted by volunteers offering free food, games, and crafts for the kids. Bounce houses glowed beneath twinkle lights, while hot chocolate and popcorn kept hands warm as carols drifted through the air.
As dusk fell, the night shifted to worship. At 7:30 p.m., hundreds of voices lifted in song as the community gathered for a powerful outdoor celebration. Chairs dotted the lot as families sang together under the stars.
The evening culminated in singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus — complete with cake. But this wasn’t an ordinary cake — it was a Gospel Cake, created to tell the story of salvation through its symbolism:
- The chocolate cake represented humanity’s sin,
- The white frosting symbolized forgiveness through Christ,
- The red candles stood for His blood shed for all,
- The round shape reminded guests of God’s eternal love,
- And the star and angel decorations recalled the holy night in Bethlehem.
“It’s more than just dessert — it’s the Gospel in a simple, sweet way,” Parkison said. “We wanted families to remember why we celebrate in the first place.”
The event also became a way to extend compassion beyond the community. Proceeds from the sale of commemorative Happy Birthday Jesus ornaments went to assist victims of Hurricane Helene, turning a local gathering into a channel of global love and outreach.
“From the start, we wanted this to be more than a party,” Parkison said. “It’s a way to share the hope of Christ — here at home and to those who are hurting elsewhere.”
The evening was made possible through the collaboration of local churches and volunteers who shared one mission: to lift up the name of Jesus.
Churches across Cookeville contributed — from providing hot chocolate and baked goods to running craft stations, face painting, and games.
Churches across Cookeville contributed — from providing hot chocolate and baked goods to running craft stations, face painting, and games.
The message was clear — the love of Christ unites.
“Seeing believers from so many churches come together reminded us what Christmas is really about,” said one attendee. “It wasn’t about where you worship on Sunday — it was about worshiping together as one family that night.”
What the Cake Symbolized
The Happy Birthday Jesus Cake served as the centerpiece of the night — a visual parable of the Gospel story.
SymbolMeaningChocolate Cake | Sin and separation from God
White Frosting | Forgiveness and purity through Jesus
Red Candles | The blood of Christ given for salvation
Star & Angels | The heavenly announcement of His birth
Round Shape | God’s eternal love and unending grace
“Every layer told a story,” Parkison said. “It’s something families could take home and recreate as a reminder that the sweetest gift is salvation.”
Looking Ahead: Joy to the World
As the candles flickered and families packed up to leave, children still humming Christmas hymns, one thing was clear — this was just the beginning.
Last year’s Happy Birthday Jesus Party planted a seed that has grown into something even bigger.
This December, the celebration returns with a new theme — “Joy to the World” — inviting families to embark on a global journey of faith and fun through a brand-new Passport of Joy experience.
This December, the celebration returns with a new theme — “Joy to the World” — inviting families to embark on a global journey of faith and fun through a brand-new Passport of Joy experience.
“This December, that same joy returns — but this time, it’s going global.”
Watch for the next story in this series from the Highlands Insider: “The Passport of Joy — Celebrating Jesus Around the World.”
