God's feasts are often referred to as pilgrim feasts, because they involve going on a pilgrimage—traveling. In years past, many of us had not traveled much until we learned God's truth. Boy, did that change! Some had rarely traveled outside the community where they had grown up. Now they were making arrangements to travel to distant sites all over the United States!

What was your most memorable Feast trip? Yes, Feast trip, not Feast?

All year, we save to journey to the various places God has placed His name for the eight days of worship and fellowship at the Feast of Tabernacles. Because of God's command to save a Festival tithe and to go and celebrate before the Lord, some of us have traveled to places we probably would never otherwise have seen.

Each year, for more than 40 years, I have eagerly looked forward to being with God's people at the Feast of Tabernacles. These times have provided some awesome memories—great messages, wonderful food, new friends and travel opportunities.

God's servant Moses instructs us in Deuteronomy that we are not to keep these festivals at home, but that we are to bind up the tithe in our hands and go to the place where God chooses for them to be observed. Getting there can be a lot of fun!

Travel opportunities can be enjoyable and educational. Usually there are historical and recreational sites along the way if we take the time to research them and then visit them. The research can be a fun family project, and the experiences can be especially beneficial for our children.

Our Experience

One year my wife and I with our three small children got together with another family and left for the Feast two or three days early. We caravanned together, stayed at the same motel and ate our meals together.

Our second day out, we reached the beautiful evergreens in a northern Arizona state park, found a couple of tables and laid out a nice picnic lunch. At that time of year the park was fairly empty. The kids ran off some of their energy playing chase in the cool mountain air.

We then loaded up and headed for the Grand Canyon not too far away. This was our first time to see one of the most breathtaking geological sites in North America. From there we drifted south toward Tucson, visiting some Pueblo Indian ruins along the way.

I don't think our families will ever forget how enjoyable this trip was for all of us. We arrived at the Feast early with plenty of time to check into our motel, relax, eat and enjoy the opening night service.

Over the years we have been blessed to see and experience so much of this beautiful earth and some of its history simply because God has commanded us to travel to His festivals.

Two Suggestions

Not everyone is able to, but if you can, let me suggest two things you can do to make your Feast trip better: leave early and travel with others. It can make the trip so much more enjoyable to travel with friends and enjoy things along the way together. This is especially true for families with children.

Many of our brethren are getting older and driving is not as easy as it once was. Some of them would appreciate the opportunity to travel with others—even having someone to help them with the driving, especially through the larger cities.

Luke writes of Christ's family traveling to keep the Passover (Luke 2:41-44). Here was a group of extended family and friends making their journey to the Feast. It could have taken several days to complete the journey.

Can you imagine how enjoyable it was for the families on these trips to God's feasts—adults eating, talking and singing around campfires, the children running and playing together! Somehow I picture them traveling at a little more leisurely pace than some of us do, taking the time to enjoy the trip and each other.

If you can leave early, it's so much better than working up to the last minute and making a mad dash for the Feast, arriving stressed out, perhaps late into the night of the first day, too late or too worn out to attend the opening service.

God wants you and your family to rejoice before Him for a full eight days. You'll be better able to accomplish that by carefully planning your pilgrimage as well. UN