If your memories of Saint Patrick’s day as a child center around leprechauns, rainbows, and chocolates disguised as gold coins, you are not alone. Or, if you are like me and lived in a college town for eighteen years, you might be seeing visions of twenty-somethings clad in green as they stumble from bar to bar.
There are many holidays that are rooted in excellent spiritual truths that have been watered down or even compeltely forgotten over the years. However, those truths are still there and you can redeem the holidays by discovering those truths with your family.
If those picture of good old Saint Patty’s day leave you feeling uninspired, here are a few fresh, Christ-centered ways to celebrate the holiday with yout children.
Learn About St. Patrick.
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The story of St. Patrick is full of adventure, suspense, danger, forgiveness, and redemption. It is an excellent picture of Chrit’s forgiveness and love.
There are numerous picture books available at ytour local library or for purchase online that relate the tales of Saint Patrick for kids.
You can also find an animated video on Torchlighter. Print out a few coloring sheets of Saint Patrick and learn about who he was and what He did for Jesus.
Learn about the Trinity.
Saint Patrick is said to have used a three leaf clover to explain the Trinity to the Irish.
Cut out and decorate your own clovers and give your children a theological lesson of God as three-in-one.
Use the clovers to decorate your windows or your tables for the evening.
Go clover hunting in your yard or at a local park and point out how God uses creation to teach about Himself.
Have a Special Dinner.
Cook a traditional Irish meal or simply have a baked potato bar in honor of the holiday.
Play some Celtic music in the background. There are even a few Celtic worship bands that can easily be streamed online.
Spend some time praying for missionaries and for the lost as you begin or close your meal.
Point out Ireland on a map and pray for the country. Close out the night with some traditional Irish dancing or another book!
Follow these steps and St. Patrick’s day an become a fun and Jesus focused day for your family. As with any holiday, we don’t need to avoid the fun of traditions such as wearing green for luck, rather we can enhance the meaning of the holiay by focusing on its Christian roots and traditions. God is a redeemer and I think even secularized holidays can be redeemed for Him. Have a blast!
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