Happy St. Patrick's Day (one day late)!

I’ve never been a big celebrator of this holiday, though I do enjoy an excuse to wear green and be extra jolly. I’ll admit that green food coloring made its way into some of my dinner last night, just for the sake of festivity. I’ll also admit that it’s not as fun as it seems to eat green food. My celebration pales in comparison to the many St. Patrick’s Day parades that occurred or the Chicago River, which was customarily dyed green in honor of the holiday. (See right)

Today my dad, who has been a pastor for 30 years, sent me an e-mail sharing his own thoughts on St. Patrick’s Day and it gave me an entirely new perspective on the holiday:

“Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day. Here in America it seems to be a time for parties and green beer. I’ve always thought that this is strange because when you take away all the myths about him and look at the historical record, we realize that St. Patrick was really a missionary. He was from Britain, and was captured and taken to Ireland to be a slave when he was a youth. After some years there he escaped and made his way back to Britain. But in time God spoke to him and he felt called to go and take the gospel to the very people who had enslaved him. You have to love a man like that! As I thought about Patrick yesterday I thanked God for all of those who have left comfortable homes, friends, and families to go to other lands to share the gospel.”

Wow, this is entirely new to me! So I guess instead of eating green food, a better way to celebrate would have been to strive to live a little more like St. Patrick himself. I too am thankful for all of those with The Salvation Army and other organizations who are spreading the love of God throughout the world, and hopefully next time this holiday rolls around, we’ll all remember that there’s more to it than food coloring.