It’s not unusual for birthdays, Thanksgiving or Christmas celebrations to span a full week. When you factor in the various visits to extended family, immediate family, friends, second cousin-twice-removed… the multiple events easily adds up to a full week of celebration.

I’ve always thought that was a little excessive. When I was a kid, we celebrated my birthday ON my birthday. One time. We celebrated Christmas one time. Thanksgiving… one time.

I worried my kids would be spoiled thinking that their birthday should be a week long event, receiving gifts every other day… birthday cakes, cupcakes, snack cakes, etc.

But reading through Deuteronomy 16, I’m reminded that God knows how to throw a party. In fact, He encourages it!

He commanded the Israelites to celebrate the Passover, the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of the Harvest, the Festival of Shelters, etc, etc, etc.

And these weren’t one-day events. These were long parties! An entire week, to be exact.

So, I guess our week long birthday celebrations are not so unusual after all.

In fact, they’re biblical.

Sweet.