"How old art thou?" This familiar question has its

earliest biblical recording in Genesis, the book of the

beginnings. The question was asked Jacob by

Pharaoh, who received this reply: "The days of the

years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty

years."

Whether this episode happened on Jacob s birth-

day, it does contain an intriguing starting point for/

book for those who are celebrating their birthday.

Adding another candle to one s birthday cake causes

all but the most undiscerning and insensitive to

reflect on the meaning of the days of our pilgrimage.

In fact, a birthday could be defined as an annual

pause in our pilgrimage, a special time for reflection,

celebration, and anticipation!

This book has been prepared for the purpose of

providing some brief thoughts appropriate to this

special occasion. If the reader finds in this little