Celebrating the Real St. Patrick

          St. Patrick's Day can count itself on the list of misunderstood holidays. Mostly described as a celebration of Irish culture, many look forward to wearing green and binge drinking. I remember listening to pubs advertising on Chicago news radio on the way to work or grad school. Pubs would invite and encourage listeners, particularly the vast majority non-Irish in Chicago, saying that any Chicagoan that drinks on St. Patrick's Day is genuine "Chi-rish." Other colleagues I have count down the days until March 17, looking forward to a good time.

          In fact, if you're Christian, especially if you're part-to-whole Irish, you ought to have a lot of pride in St. Patrick. Kidnapped by pirates and enslaved for six years, his faith in Jesus Christ blossomed (where most faith would perish). He went on to become one of the first missionaries to Ireland, building community, relationships, churches and monasteries as well (where there was probably less drinking . . .). And this was all before the Synod of Whitby in 664 and the Roman Catholics arrived. 

          We can celebrate St. Patrick as we celebrate any success in mission in heritage, as we see God at work! (Also, most the music we listen to owes a lot to the foundations laid out by Celtic music).

          Below is a video of VeggieTales' "flannel graph" children's version of the life and ministry of St. Patrick. Yes, it's a kids' show, but it's easily accessible and concise.

          Enjoy! And Happy St. Patrick's Day!