Happy St. Patrick's Day! Well, almost anyway....do you have your green to wear on Thursday?
St. Patrick was born in a well to do family in Britain around the year 380. It was very probable that he had a house full of servants and lived a very comfortable life. At this time Britain was part of the Roman Empire and a Christian country. Ireland on the other hand, though not far away, was very different. The island was full or warring tribes whose religion believed in many gods. Life here was not so comfortable. People lived in mud huts and life was very hard.
When Patrick was about 15 years old an Irish kind attacked Britain. Patrick was captured and taken back to Ireland as a slave. He became a swineherd and lived in the hills taking care of animals. He was very sad and missed his family. As he worked he prayed and prayed to God. Soon he was having dreams from God telling him to escape. After 6 years as a slave he was able to return to his home in England. But when he returned, his home was destroyed! The Romans had been chased out of England and all the people and places he had known were gone.
For many years after this Patrick prayed and studied and became a bishop. During this time God told him he needed to return to Ireland. His job was to unite all the warring Irish tribes and make Ireland a Christian land. He did return to Ireland and after many years built many churches and converted the Irish from the believe of many gods to that of only one God.
There are many legends about St. Patrick that may or may not be true. It is said he used the shamrock with its three leaves to convey the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It has also been told that he drove all the snakes from Ireland.
People around the world will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day on Thursday. You may celebrate by watching parades and wearing green. If you live in Ireland you would celebrate by going to church for three days. However you celebrate remember that St. Patrick was serving God. He didn't do what was easy or what he wanted to do. Instead he did as he was told by God. Even when it was hard and lonely and dangerous, he never gave up his service to God.
John 12:26 - "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me."
Dear God, Thank you for making me a servant for You. Please help me learn your will so that I may spread your word. Amen.
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