Topsail Island, NC -

This coming Saturday, many people in the U.S., and even more so in Ireland, will be commemorating St. Patrick’s Day. I doubt he was born on March 17th, but the early Catholic Church chose that day to honor him.

Considering the various forms the revelry takes, it makes one wonder what St. Patrick did to warrant a special day set-aside for him. After all, as far as I know, there is no St. Daniel’s Day, St. Frank’s Day, or even a St. Bernard’s Day!

To my limited knowledge, he is credited with the dubious accomplishment of driving all the snakes out of Ireland. I’d imagine he is not greatly admired in Great Britain or France, as it is reasonable to wonder where those fleeing snakes took refuge. Being neighbors, I don’t think the British and French appreciated St. Patrick’s prowess. Ever since the 1840’s, when large numbers of Irish emigrated to the U.S., (which, by the way, is loaded with snakes), the Irish have celebrated the life of this man of high repute.

And how do they do this? On St. Patrick’s Day, Americans are almost required to wear green. Being color blind, I always hedged my bet by claiming I was wearing green underwear.

In Chicago, the authorities go through a lot of work, (and I’d imagine great expense), to turn the Chicago River green. In New York City, all of the street markings on Broadway are painted green for the day, (while some of our roads go without any markings for years). Americans guzzle down untold gallons of green beer, (yucca!), with great pride.

And all he did was drive some reptiles off a small island off the European coast.

The same people who participate in this "celebration" do so for the fun of it. St. Patrick may be as real to them as Snow White. The true Irishman, along with the O’Jones and the O’Goldbergs, may chose to participate, but that doesn’t matter. Yet each year, observance of this day becomes virtually mandatory regardless of your ethnicity.

Don’t get me wrong my Irish friends, celebrate! I just can’t help but wonder if we Christians wear the same persona and treat our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, without the honor and awe due Him. That would be a travesty. That would be blasphemy.

We, as Christians, base our faith on the saving grace of Jesus Christ, (Eph.2: 8 - 9), and we are instructed by Christ Himself to spread the Good News which is the basis of our faith, (Matt. 28: 19 - 20). We are to be a living witness of His power to change lives, (Eph. 4: 22 - 24), and to be aware that our works are, to many people, their only measure of our faith, (James 2: 17).

While the Irish may often get carried away with the fun on St. Patrick’s Day, we should demonstrate that there is joy in salvation, with assurance of everlasting life as well as an abundant life here and now, (John 10: 10).

"This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it."

Now that’s Christianity in action.

Come visit us at Blake’s Chapel Advent Christian Church. We may not be snake free, but our faith can be attractively contagious.

Dan Ligotti