Dear China
Friends,
SAINT
PATRICK’S DAY
Saint Patrick’s Day is a cultural and religious holiday
that is celebrated on the 17th day of March each year. It commemorates the patron saint of Ireland
(c. AD 378-461) who brought Christianity to Ireland. This day is observed religiously by the
following churches: Catholic, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox and Lutheran. It was made an official feast day in the
early 17th century but gradually became a secular celebration of Irish culture
in general.
Religiously it is observed by attendance at church
services. However, culturally it is
celebrated by wearing green attire including green ribbons and shamrocks. If you don’t wear green you are liable to get
pinched. Also it is celebrated by
parades, the enjoying family and community gatherings as well as the drinking of
alcoholic beverages.
There are three things I find interesting about St.
Patrick. First, although he was born in
Roman Britain, when he was sixteen he was captured and carried off as a slave to
Ireland for six years. He escaped and
after many adventures made his way home in his early twenties. After studying to be a priest he heard “The
voice of the Irish” in a vision saying to him, “We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come
and walk among us.” So he returned to
the very country of his enslavement and as a priest he baptized thousands of
people. Then he ordained priests to lead
these new Christian communities.
The second thing I find interesting was how he explained
the three persons that make up the Godhead, the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit. To illustrate the concept of the
three in one he took a three leaf clover (shamrock) that grew from one
stem. I like to think of the Father as
the planner, the Son as the purchaser and the Holy Spirit as the publisher. They all work together in perfect harmony as
one God!
Finally, legend credits St. Patrick with ridding Ireland
of snakes by chasing them into the sea after they attacked him. However, all evidence suggests that Ireland
never had snakes. More than likelythe
snakes represented St. Patrick cleansing Ireland of satanic influ-ences since
the devil is often pictured as a snake.
I hope all is well for you and your loved ones. I am waiting for my son Tom 3 to come by for
dinner. He and his son Sam are traveling
to different Universities to see which one he wants to attend next school
year. This is a treat for me since he
lives in Alaska so I don’t get to see him very often.
Your friend,
Tom Atkinson
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