By Kelly Carr

Sometimes when we think about the Bible, we get our serious faces on. And rightly so, as there are serious topics within. However, we may overlook the joys in God’s Word. When we consider the Old Testament, we tend to lean toward the commandments (serious rules) and the punishment given to God’s wayward people when they strayed (serious sin). Yet did you know that the Israelites were commanded to celebrate at various times of year? Yes—they were required to throw parties. Like many of our celebrations today, those parties involved gathering people together, remembering the blessings God had provided, and eating food. That sounds like fun!

In light of this, we thought it would be fun to examine more closely six of the celebrations that God’s people were told to observe—feasts that are still celebrated today. Doug Redford is writing this series for us; he is a former Standard Lesson Commentary editor and now a minister and adjunct professor with a PhD from Hebrew Union in Old Testament studies. The articles will be published from now through the fall during the weeks that the feasts are celebrated this year. This week is Purim—read Doug’s article to dig into what Purim commemorates. Keep an eye out for the others to come.

Do you regularly have celebrations in your life? There is value in gathering with others, remembering God’s blessings, and eating together. There are physical, mental, even spiritual benefits that come from taking time to relax, to play, to have fun in life.

That’s my challenge for you this week, this month, the rest of this year—find things that bring you joy and do them to the glory of God; enjoy the blessings God has given you and have some fun!

“If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good” (One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss).