Remember childhood elementary school parties, where everyone would wear green, have sweet snacks, and we would play games? As we grow into adults, St. Patrick's Day can change from a whimsical holiday to one known for excessive alcohol intake and immoral behavior.
St. Patrick's Day can be dangerous for believers. Since the present-day holiday is so far removed from the original person of St. Patrick, many sinful behaviors are celebrated to commemorate this holiday. As Christians, we need to be bold and reclaim St. Patrick's Day as a day to celebrate the true, historical person of St. Patrick. When we celebrate St. Patrick's Day holistically and honorably, we truly bring glory to God.
Who was St. Patrick?
Before he was known as St. Patrick, he was known as Maewyn Succat. Maewyn was taken from his home by raiders as a teenager to Ireland and forced into a life of slavery. Despite being brutally treated by the raiders, Maewyn chose to spend his life teaching the Irish people about Jesus and helping them come to know Him.
Maewyn didn't know Jesus as his Savior until the raiders took him. Through this tragic event, Patrick came to know Jesus and dedicated his life to helping the Irish people, even returning after he had escaped. Within Maewyn's outreach work, he also helped many Druids come to know Jesus.
Maewyn later changed his name to St. Patrick after becoming a priest. He chose the name "Patrick" because it means "father figure" in Latin. Patrick was faithful in fulfilling his role as a father figure to the Irish as he guided, instructed, and pointed many to Jesus.
We celebrate This person on St. Patrick's Day—a follower of Jesus who brought the Gospel to Ireland. Despite society turning St. Patrick's Day into something else, as Christians, we can celebrate this holiday in a way that glorifies God. St. Patrick would not be happy with the secular celebrations that are being celebrated in his name. This is why we must celebrate St. Patrick's Day joyfully, holistically, and honorably.
How can we honor St. Patrick's memory?
We should never participate in any celebration that dishonors St. Patrick's name. This will only tarnish his reputation. We must celebrate him rather than destroy his name as the Lord would want us to. A great way to do this is to learn about him. If you are unfamiliar with the true, historical St. Patrick, St. Patrick's Day would be a great time to learn more about him and his life.
In the same way, we can use St. Patrick's Day as a chance to evangelize to people in our hometowns. We can establish the historical person of St. Patrick, talk about how he shared his faith with the Irish, and share the Gospel with them. Various Christian holidays are great opportunities to share Jesus because they give you a good opener and connection to the Gospel.
We celebrate St. Patrick's memory by reading some of his works, such as "The Confession of St. Patrick." Reading his work might help us connect with him on a deeper level. Reading autobiographical materials on a person typically connects us to the author and helps us understand that they are humans just like us with their struggles. To learn more about St. Patrick's life, consider copying "The Confession of St. Patrick."
What are some proactive ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day?
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day as Christians is okay, especially for those celebrating their Irish heritage. Many of our Irish heritage eat traditional meals on this day, including corned beef, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, Irish Soda Bread, and other ethnic foods, which remind many of us here in the United States of the journey the Irish took from their homeland to immigrate to America. Parades to honor the day celebrate Irish dancing, traditional music, and other cultural traditions that are still relevant to the Irish today.
Consider taking a walk and watching for shamrocks on St. Patrick's Day. St. Patrick helped many people come to know Christ through the shamrock, one of the many modern-day symbols of St. Patrick's Day. St. Patrick taught that just as the shamrock has three leaves yet remains one, the shamrock is the same as the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, which are three distinct Persons, yet are one God.
If you have a family and children, consider getting kids involved with the holiday by making crafts. There are numerous crafts online, such as this shamrock activity. While crafting, we can take the opportunity to talk about St. Patrick and teach children the connection he made between the Trinity and the shamrock.
What activities should Christians avoid on St. Patrick's Day?
Rather than drinking alcohol, pulling pranks, or pinching others, make it a goal to spend quality time with others, absorbing their company and celebrating the historical person of St. Patrick. Choose to celebrate this St. Patrick's Day and every holiday to the glory of God. God will have no glory and praise if the holiday is celebrated in sin. St. Patrick was a man who served God with his entire heart. He would be honored to have a day in his memory that truly glorifies God. As Christians, we can do this by celebrating St. Patrick's Day in a biblically based way.
St. Patrick never asked for this holiday to be created for him, yet Christians established it many centuries ago. Sadly, it has been corrupted and changed over time. Even the Irish people themselves have a bad stereotype placed upon them because of the sinful practices centered around St. Patrick's Day. To believe that all Irish people drink too much, look a specific way, and are plotting to prank others is not Christian. Instead of placing stereotypes on the Irish, all people must view the Irish as St. Patrick did. He saw them as a beautiful part of God's creation who deserved to hear the Gospel. It is important for us as Christians to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in a way that brings honor and respect to St. Patrick, the Irish, and God. Ultimately, this is how we can truly glorify God and respect the memory of St. Patrick.
Bible Verses on Joyful Celebrations
The Bible is filled with Scriptures discouraging sinful behavior every day, not just on St. Patrick's Day. However, the Bible also encourages us to find joy in the celebratory moments in life in a way that honors God, as we should aim for every day.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).
"Therefore, do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ" (Colossians 2:16-17).
There is one passage of Scripture similar to " The Irish Blessing," which is a fantastic Scripture to embrace in celebration of St. Patrick's Day and the Irish. Let's choose to remember St. Patrick for the impact he had on the Irish people for the sake of the Gospel and the rich heritage of the Irish community.
"'"The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace."'
Numbers 6:24-26
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