Why do we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Is it because we like the color green? Or because we relish the thought of finding a leprechaun’s pot of gold? Perhaps it’s because we’re hoping for a bit of the luck o’ the Irish to rub off on us.

Or maybe it has nothing to do with any of those things.

Do you know the story of St. Patrick?

Patrick was born into a wealthy family in Great Britain in the fifth century. His family was active in the church, but Patrick didn’t consider himself religious. When he was sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders. They sold him as a slave in Ireland, where he remained for six years. It was during this time that he gave his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. After he escaped from his Irish master, he returned to his family in England and studied the Bible and theology.

Upon completion of his religious studies and in response to a dream in which an angel told him to return to Ireland, Patrick did just that. Only this time he went to Ireland willingly, as a missionary instead of as a slave. Or you could say he went as a slave to Jesus Christ!Patrick evangelized Ireland, teaching the people about the Savior, and using familiar Irish symbols to communicate complicated subjects. For example, the Irish shamrock became a visual by which Patrick explained the Trinity. By the time of his death, much of the island of Ireland had converted to Christianity and Patrick was recognized as the nation’s first bishop.

Tradition tells us Patrick died on March 17, the day we commemorate his life. But we’re really celebrating more than the life of one man. We’re commemorating a man and a ministry that brought an entire nation to the Savior. And that’s a good reason to celebrate!