Every year on Mar. 17, the world lights up in green, the beer flows like a river and parades fill the streets with images of leprechauns and lucky charms. But what if I told you that St. Patrick’s Day—like so many other holidays—has been hijacked by modern culture and stripped of its true meaning?
The real St. Patrick wasn’t about luck or leprechauns. He was about faith, courage and the miraculous power of God.
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Born in Roman Britain in the fourth century, Patrick’s life took a drastic turn when he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sold into slavery. Forced to tend flocks in brutal conditions, he turned to God, praying constantly—and something incredible happened. God strengthened him, sustained him and even spoke to him in dreams, revealing the way to his escape.
But Patrick’s story didn’t end there.
Instead of staying safe and comfortable back home, he chose to return to Ireland, the very place of his suffering, because he had a mission: to bring the gospel to a land steeped in paganism and darkness. Facing death threats, druidic rituals and immense opposition, he fearlessly preached the name of Jesus. And by the time his work was done, Ireland was forever changed.
Yet, today, Patrick is more widely remembered for driving out “snakes” (a legend with no real evidence) than for driving out demonic, cultic practices and replacing them with the message of Christ. Instead of celebrating a man of unwavering faith, we celebrate with bar crawls and green beer.
Imagine if Patrick were alive today—would he be throwing on a green hat and downing pints at the pub?
Or would he be using this day to tell the world about Jesus, just like he did in Ireland?
Maybe it’s time to take back St. Patrick’s Day. Instead of luck, let’s talk about grace. Instead of four-leaf clovers, let’s remember the cross. Instead of myths and fairy tales, let’s celebrate the true story of a man who risked everything so that an entire nation could hear the gospel.
Happy real St. Patrick’s Day!
This article originally appeared on Charisma News, and is reposted with permission.
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Prepared by Charisma Media Staff
