Saint Patrick

Saint Patrick

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. -Saint Patrick

Saint Patrick of Ireland is an incredibly popular saint. Many people around the world celebrate his work in Ireland on St. Patrick's Day, March 17th. People in the United States celebrate St. Patrick by drinking alcohol, getting drunk, and having raucous parties. I believe he deserves more attention than just a day to get drunk.

Biography

Patrick was born in England around A.D. 415, but he was captured by Irish pirates while a teenager and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped Ireland and traveled back to England where he reunited with his family. God called Patrick back to Ireland so he could preach the Gospel to the Irish.

The common understanding is that Patrick preached in Ireland for around forty (40) years. During this time, he is credited with converting all of Ireland to Christianity. A legend concerning Patrick is that he drove all the snakes out of Ireland too. Another legend is that Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity.

Why should we remember Saint Patrick?

Saint Patrick, as I've already noted, was a successful missionary. We celebrate missionaries like William Carey for his work in India, Adoniram Judson for his work in Burma, Lottie Moon for her work in China, and Margaret Lackey for her work in Mississippi, so we should celebrate his work in Ireland. A whole nation, or so believed, came to Christ because of his work.

Here is my encouragement to you: Do not use this day for drunkenness, but use it to celebrate a man who was called by God to preach the Gospel. He preached Christ crucified and people were saved.