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Amidst all the controversy about whether or not Christmas and Easter have pagan origins, there is one holiday that has so completely lost it's meaning that for many it does not even closely resemble it's original purpose.
St. Patrick's Day
This is sad, because the story about St. Patrick - the real St. Patrick - is inspiring.
Born in England in the 5th century, Patrick was captured as a slave and taken to Ireland. After six years he escaped and returned to his family. After his escape, while home with his family, he had a vision in which he heard a call to return and evangelize the pagan Irish.
He returned to the country where he was formerly kept as a slave, only this time as a free Christian missionary, and saw thousands converted to Christianity. He is quoted as saying that he baptized thousands of people.
The shamrock is a symbol of St. Patrick because it is believed that he used it to illustrate the Trinity.
Sadly St. Patrick's Day for many has lost this important and inspiring meaning, and is merely a day where we wear green to avoid being pinched and drink a lot of beer.
This week I will be doing St. Patrick's Day projects with my children, ones that illustrate the real St. Patrick and his work to carry the gospel to the the lost. I will share these with you on Wednesday.
In a world where we elevate the wrong kind of heroes, I want my children to look up to those who sacrificed all for the sake of the gospel!!
I Link Up At The Following Blogs
M: Motivation Monday, Gracelaced Mondays, Today Is Monday, Playdates at the Wellspring T: Tell Me A Story, Titus2 Tuesdays, Women Helping Women, W: Women Living Well, Wisdom Wednesday, Wholehearted Wednesdays, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home Th: Thoughtful Thursday , Thrive at Home, Life In the Comments; Serving Joyfully F: Faith Filled Friday, Favorite Friday Things, Just For Fun Friday
6 comments:
I can't wait to see your Wednesday post. You're right about focusing on the food and not the saint himself.
Thanks for linking up at Motivation Monday.
So often holidays lose their meaning after a while. I do find it curious how often Christians will debate about whether or not we should celebrate Christmas or Easter because of Santa or the Easter Bunny, but no one has brought up St. Patricks Day (which has completely lost it's meaning entirely). Our goal should be to return to it's original meaning: Jesus' birth, Jesus' resurrection, and a great man who sought to fulfill the Great Commission.
I love this! I only heard the real story a few years ago, although I will be sharing it with my Sunday school class this year. It's perfect timing, since we just had missions week the week before! Thanks for spreading the word!
Wow, that's awesome! I knew he was a real person but didn't really remember much about him. As a child, I used to look for four leaf clovers for "luck," and that was pretty much the extent of it, just as you said. I love that you are being intentional about teaching your kids the real meaning of the holiday, and I'll bet they will pass it on to their friends someday.
Thank you for linking up to "Making Your Home Sing Monday!"
Yes - it's sad that so many people don't know the real story behind this holiday. Thanks for hosting!!!
I am so glad you are sharing this with your class! And that IS perfect timing!
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