Part of being from Northern Ireland, means being fiercely proud of our heritage. It also means we have a love for the many stories and legends of Saint Patrick. But our favourite story is one that’s been passed down through generations, and it revolves around a massive campfire and the faithfulness of the early church in Ireland.
As a part of keeping his Easter Vigil in celebration of Christ rising from the dead, Saint Patrick lit an enormous bonfire on the Hill of Slane in County Meath. He lit this fire in spite of the High King of Tara, who had chosen the same night to light his own druid festival fire.
The High King of Tara had prohibited the lighting of any rival fires in the country. But when night fell, two sources of light broke the darkness: the druid festival fire, and the bonfire of Saint Patrick.
Outraged the High King commanded his men to extinguish Saint Patrick’s bonfire, but try as they might they could not put out the flames. Saint Patrick’s fire miraculously could not be extinguished.
Eventually the High King surrendered his armies and surrendered his heart, in awe of St. Patrick’s God. And they worshipped God that very day.
We love this story because it not only demonstrates God’s power, but it also is a beautiful picture of what it means to be ablaze for Christ. When Jesus speaks of the “city on a hill” that can’t be hidden in the Sermon on the Mount, we picture a fire much like the one from this story.
Jesus isn’t talking about a glaring neon festival of fluorescence like Las Vegas. There’s no electricity in the New Testament. He’s imagining a skyline illuminated by hundreds of single campfires, each surrounded by their own conversations and celebrations, hopes, dreams and healings. Our simple campfire gatherings can be powerfully missional because people are drawn to the light, heat and safety of Jesus and his Church. It’s with this in mind that we celebrate St. Patrick’s day today. May we, as saints of Christ, invite others to join us around the campfire and worship the true High King of Heaven!
