DECIDING WHAT TO DO AND WHAT NOT TO DO
St. Patrick’s Day is one of those quick, simple little holidays that is just fun and uncomplicated.
Or is it?
It happens on the same day every year; so that part is always easy to remember.
March 17th is always St. Patrick’s Day.
That said; the calendar date might be the easiest thing to sort out without a problem.
There is actually a lot to ponder about the truth of this day, and how to celebrate this holiday in a Christian manner.
WAS ST. PATRICK A REAL PERSON?
Yes!
St. Patrick was a very real person who lived back in the 1800’s. His story is one of the good things about celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.
St. Patrick had a very interesting life.
He was born British and was raised in a godly home. As a boy Patrick did not pay much attention to the things he had been taught about God. One day some pirates came into his town and kidnapped Patrick. They threw him on a ship that sailed off to Ireland where he was sold as a slave.
At the time Patrick was only 16 years old. As the ship tossed in the seas; he remembered the God that he had learned about as a young child and he began to pray. He continued to pray during the next seven years that he lived as a slave in Ireland.
At that time no one in Ireland believed in The One True God.
PATRICK’S VISION
After many years of slavery in Ireland, Patrick had a vision that told him he would escape. One day this vision actually came to pass. He stowed away on a ship. Patrick was able to sail back home again without being caught.
After Patrick had returned home to Britain for many years; God convicted him of the fact that he needed to go back to Ireland and preach the Gospel.
Patrick told the people of Ireland about the Godhead by showing them three-leaf clovers. He pointed out that the three leaves represented The Father, Son and Holy Spirit of the Triune God.
Imitating Jesus Christ, Patrick used familiar objects to get people’s attention. They would then listen to his message more than if he had formally preached from a pulpit.
Patrick’s idea was to reach the leaders first. If he reached those people first, those who followed them would most likely come to know Christ too.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF ONE WHO SPREAD THE GOSPEL
This was a very good way to conduct ministry in Ireland during those days. St. Patrick had much success in gaining many converts to Christianity.
Because of St. Patrick, the gospel spread all over Ireland. Many people came to know Christ.
St. Patrick was one of the first people to take his own troubles and use them as a witness for God.
Many people listened to him because of his honesty and humility.
A TEACHING MOMENT FOR ALL GODLY PARENTS
From the above story you can see that pondering the accurate facts which are associated with St. Patrick’s Day is possible; but it requires great thought and research and prayer for discernment beforehand.
Once that is done; the day is very good for a little teaching.
I like to think that old St. Patrick would smile at that statement.
A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR POINTING OUT WHAT IS GODLY
As a matter of fact St. Patrick’s Day seems to be one of those holidays that provides us with a golden opportunity to express what is godly and what is not to our children.
I’ve always tried to turn this occasion into a teachable moment at our home. This requires a lot of prayer and patience. It is sometimes more about asking questions than giving out “thou shalt not” commands.
When my granddaughter asked me what a three-leaf clover was; I got to tell her how St. Patrick used it to teach people about God. Hopefully, she will keep that association in the forefront of her mind instead of looking for them for good luck.
I also told her the story of St. Patrick (in three-year-old language.) We put some three-leaf clovers on our family tree while thanking God that He is the Great Three In One.
EXPLAINING GOOD LUCK AND LITTLE GREEN MEN
When my grandson asked me why I wasn’t worried about wearing green on St. Patrick’s day; I got to ask him whether he believed God planned our days or were they all just random patterns of good luck and bad luck?
We got to have a wonderful conversation on God’s providence. He understands how our blessings only come from God and not “good luck.”
It was pointed out in that conversation that little green men do not truly exist. They have no magical powers at all. Once we discussed the subject it wasn’t very hard to convince him that these fact were true. I could see his eyes twinkling as we talked. His then nine-year old mind was beginning to grasp the concept that some things are pagan and these things do not make God happy.
And what of our little one-year-old grandson at that time?
Well, he just appreciated those green marshmallows and cookies! No worries for that kid.
CHILDREN LEARN FROM THE SEASONS OF OUR LIVES
I love watching each of them grow and learn from all the seasons of life.
You teach children to think by asking them what they know about the things they are asking questions about.
99 percent of the time – they come up with the right logic on their own if you just keep asking them the obvious questions.
It might be interesting when discussing whether or not there really is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow; if you asked a child what they would do with the gold if they found it.
Whatever they tell you will give you insight into their character.
You will know which direction to go next with your teaching.
If a child says they wouldn’t need to find the pot of gold because they are happy with all the blessings that God has already given to them; you’ve come into a very special moment. Be still and relish the moment. Offer up a strong prayer of Thanksgiving to your Creator.
RAINBOWS AND POTS OF GOLD
Otherwise ask them who created the rainbow.
Then say maybe that pot of gold just symbolically represents the blessings of the rainbow that God wants us to remember.
Ask them what blessings they think Noah and his family realized when they saw God’s rainbow in the sky for the first time.
The thoughts of the little green men will soon go away. They will have their thoughts directed toward something more constructive.
A CHEERFUL HOME IS A HAPPY HOME
Most of you already know how I LOVE making my home speak of each season. A few sparks of green décor may spring up here and there during this season. It simply can’t be helped, and it certainly does no harm.
On some occasions in the past we have gone green, hung three-leafed clovers in our windows, and even put them on our family tree in the kitchen.
We’ve also put a beautiful red cardinal right in the middle of all that greenery. It looked great in the middle of that green tree! That red cardinal always reminds us of the blood of Christ that covers us even in the midst of a sin-filled world. The cardinal also expresses our thanks for God’s answered prayers.
Often we’ve put green felt hats on top of the antique white table inside the foyer. Sometimes we have filled the house up with green ferns and white roses. All of this made for a very lovely entry.
In previous years it has all turned out to be so cheerful and inviting.
I’ve recently seen a few floral arrangements using pretty white and green flowers arranged inside a head of cabbage. These arrangements looked amazing and were so artfully arranged! I do want to give that idea a try too at our house on one St. Patrick’s celebration year. Art, prayer and song are soul languages that I love to use. They remind me of David praising God with his music.
There is certainly nothing wrong with enjoying the blessings of a cheerful Irish-styled home. Year-after-year I’m sure you will always catch me posting some of those pretty St. Patrick’s decorating photos again.
On any given moment the whole week before St. Patrick’s Day could also turn into an Irish cooking session at our house.
Just click here to peak in on my favorite versions of corn beef and cabbage. https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/corned-beef-and-cabbage-my-favorite-recipe/
You might as well enjoy the fare; you have to cook dinner anyway.
JUST KEEP STAYING TRUE TO 2 TIMOTHY 4:2
Living The IN SEASON Lifestyle; often involves a process of keeping your seasonal priorities straight.
Always and without a doubt; worshiping The One True God of Heaven and Earth takes first priority in any day; especially a Sabbath.
This fact should never be questioned or confused.
Unfortunately; many will be celebrating with uncontrolled drinking – not one of the best qualities of this day. I highly recommend that everyone stay off the streets and safely inside their homes with their families.
There is no harm in drinking an Irish beer; but getting drunk is a sin.
If you do drink on St. Patrick’s Day evening; I hope and pray that you drink responsibly. Please remember to watch out for your friends who might not be so mature.
NOT JUST AN IRISH CELEBRATION
On St. Patrick’s Day you can count on the fact that there will be parades and festivities going on all over the world.
It isn’t just an Irish celebration. Some say that other countries (especially the USA) tend to celebrate this day even more than the Irish do.
As a matter of fact; if you are looking for a week-long Irish celebration; we know just the place you should go!
A LITTLE BIT OF IRELAND ACTUALLY LIVES IN TENNESSEE
If you live down South, why not check out this little town called Erin, Tennessee?
It is one of the most Irish towns you can find in the USA.
Of course, we love the fact that Erin is just another typical small-town in the South; except that this place simply knows and enjoys how to get Irish.
In Erin, they actually celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all week-long.
So if you are a true-green Irish person at heart who can’t miss the occasion; you might want to drive out to Erin, Tennessee the week before St. Patrick’s Day.
If you want to find out more about Erin, Tennessee – just click into their website http://houstoncochamber.com/ 
SO WHAT IS TRULY CHRISTIAN AND WHAT IS NOT?
We cannot end this article without giving our answer to the original question:
When considering whether or not it is acceptable for Christians to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day I’ve followed the same pattern as for how acceptable it is to celebrate other man-made holidays:
There are always certain questions to ask:
- What about this day honors God? That is the part I will celebrate.
- What about this day is pagan? That is the part of the day I will ignore and avoid.
- What about the signs and symbols of the day; are they not pagan? They are if you are using them to worship a pagan deity. We worship God at our house. If we hang a three-leaf clover on the wall or if we cook a festive meal that is Irish, it will be because God created the clover and God gave us love and fellowship for the people of Ireland.
- Yes, both they and we have often fallen into ungodly patterns; but God’s devout people can also be found in and among their people. We will celebrate these. I have known some amazing Irish Christian people in my life time. I’ve found that being around them always lifts my spirits and makes me happy.
LOOK OUT FOR THESE THINGS:
There are elements about the festivities of St. Patrick’s Day that definitely are not encouraged; such as the superstitious nature of saying things like “this will bring you good luck.”
Christians do not believe in luck. We believe that God is in control of all of our blessings.
We don’t have luck. So it is that we celebrate blessings!
Then there is the element that the “luck” will be granted by magic little leprechauns or a three-leaf clover, or some other superstition.
We all know this isn’t possible; that only God can bring about supernatural changes to our lives.
ONLY GOD CAN MAKE THINGS SUPERNATURAL
It does seem best not to participate in these things. We do well to simply try to be graceful and overlook those who are too wrapped up in the fun to realize how wrong it looks and sounds coming from a child of God.
In days of the past we have taught our children not to be superstitious. Hopefully we instilled that all good things come from God and God alone. He is our provider. It is He from whom we get our blessings and abundance in this life.
This isn’t something to be mocked. It would be wrong to claim that our blessings come from anywhere else. That would be considered a type of idolatry.
Thus; like a lot of other days; St. Patrick’s is often a time full of moments where we can show grace and mercy to those who have not reached the same conclusions about things as us.
It is always a good solid practice to let God be the judge.
Our time and energies are best devoted to minding our own homes and families. We do well to be busy teaching our own children what we know as truth. Judgement will always start within the house of God.
SO; IS IT OKAY TO CELEBRATE IN SOME WAYS AT SOME TIME DURING THE WEEK?
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is like everything else in life. You have to chew up the meat and spit out the bones.
You must sort out the good from the bad. Stick with the good and put the bad aside.
What is bad?
Superstitions, drunkenness, pagan worship (Druids and leprechauns)
What is good?
St. Patrick was a good man with a good story that is inspiring. Celebrating the fact that he worked to increase the Kingdom on God on this earth is a good thing. His example in this area of missions is excellent.
Celebrating the fact that Irish people gained independence is also a good thing.
Eating and enjoying Irish food is both delicious and nutritious.
Making your home festive to celebrate fellowship with Ireland and the good parts of St. Patrick’s Day is fun.
If you were worshiping these things; that would be wrong. However; just to be festive to honor one who preached Christ and those who wished to worship in freedom is fine.
Just don’t let any of these man-declared festivities overtake your worship of the One True God who gives all blessings.
GOD LOVES HOSPITALITY
If you have the time and the energy; making your house festive and inviting with a little Irish hospitality can be a great way to entertain those that you love.
God has always enjoyed for his people to be hospitable. Just ask Abraham and Sarah.
So; keep your perspective.
Worship God.
He is ALWAYS the first priority; no exceptions.
If you want to be a little Irish for a day; just don’t sin while you do so. May the peace of God be with you always!
A CLOSING IRISH BLESSING
Here is a little Irish blessing to keep you:
May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.