Happy St. Patrick's Day

Recently, I have been challenged to truly understand why we are celebrating different holidays. As I have researched different ones, I have been encouraged to see a hint of Christian truth throughout each.

Since it's St. Patrick's day I thought I would post just a little of the history.

These are a few facts historians believe to be true:

Patrick, who was born in Roman British Isles around 387, was kidnapped and taken into slavery at the age of 16. He was forced to work as a shepherd, and quickly learned that religion brought great comfort. At the age of 22, he escaped and returned to his homeland. In a dream one night, he heard Irish voices asking him to convert them to Christianity.

Heeding that call, he studied to become a priest, and years later he went to Ireland as a Christian missionary.

Ireland around the 5th century practiced Paganism, ruled by the Druids. St. Patrick helped spread Christianity through Ireland, and is also credited with helping spread the written word as he taught the Bible. Eventually monasteries and churches started to appear all over the country.

So what’s the significance of March 17th?

Most historians believe March 17th represents the date of Saint Patrick’s death.


After reading about this and asking God to give me his heart for this celebration, I realized that in a lot of ways this day is about celebrating Patrick's missionary efforts. Having spent months overseas spreading the Word in tough places I know first hand how difficult it can be and how discouraged one can get. So I have been challenged by the Holy Spirit to turn today's celebration into a day of celebrating all the people I know that are out there spreading God's truth and celebrating the true joy that can be experienced from loving and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

It is my prayer that this also would be your purpose and desire in celebrating St. Patrick's day. May we join together to pray for an extra dose of joy and celebration to fill those that we know living out the call to spread the truth to the ends of the earth. May these people know the true joy and cause of celebration and be able to communicate this to those they are striving to reach. And may God use them like He did Patrick to bring His light into the darkness.

Brandy