St Patrick’s Day is very special to me, as I have some Irish blood….but even if I did not, I would enjoy the celebration.  Why?  Because it is a ‘happy Holiday’ and I love the story or legend of St Patrick. 

St Patrick was a slave, captured by Irish Raiders, for six years.  He escaped after having a vision from God, and returned to his home in England.  During his capture he sought a relationship with God, and pursued more of God later in England.  He had a great desire to go back to Ireland and preach salvation…..but it was years before he was allowed to go.  Finally he returned, had some battles, but with great favor of God witnessed to the whole country.  Here is one of my favorite stories:

Legend has it that St. Patrick would use the shamrock to explain the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The word “shamrock” comes from the Gaelic word “seamrog” (In Irish, it means “summer plant”) meaning “trefoil” (three leafed) or “little clover”. In Arabia, it is called shamrakh. It was a sacred emblem in Iran and to the Persian triads. It is also a sacred plant among the Druids. Shamrock is the national flower of Ireland. Many Irish people wear a shamrock on St. Patrick’s Day. It is not the Irish national emblem. The harp has that honor. This explains the color green and shamrocks on St. Patrick’s Day. Today, if you do not wear green on St. Patrick’s Day, you will get pinched !!

St. Patrick died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, on the 17 March, 461 A.D at the age of 76. He is believed to be buried in Downpatrick, County Down. This is why we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on the seventeenth of March. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland.

I loved his story and history so much I named my middle son, Patrick….he did the same so we have a second Patrick, fondly called ‘Paddy’ most of the time.

The first St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the United States was held in Boston in 1737. The largest St. Patrick’s Day parade is in New York City.

One of the exciting stories about him was that he drove all the snakes out of Ireland.  And, I am told it is true there are no snakes in Ireland.  Well…….snakes represent the devil and his demons…..so how interesting to think this man of God drove them out of his beloved Ireland.  Should inspire us to drive the snakes –the demons–out of our country as well.

I sure don’t know where the tradition of ‘pinching’ someone who is not wearing green on St Patrick’s day, started?  Seemed like fun as a kid….not sure I will go out as a ‘Senior’ pinching strangers….ho ho!  But a great time to thank God for the Trinity and celebrate the green–the green shamrock, and speak love, joy and peace to all we meet.  After all no one needs to be Irish to celebrate all it represents….the blessings of men of God for all mankind.

Pressing in and pressing on…..