Saint Andrew’s Day in Scotland

It’s a bank holiday here in Scotland to celebrate Saint Andrew the nation’s patron saint. The Scottish saltire proudly displays the St Andrew’s cross, on which this disciple of Jesus was crucified around AD60. But how many Scots know or care anything about this man Andrew who was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples?

I guess for most the name ‘St Andrew’ simply recalls memories of that beautiful place on the East Coast of Scotland, in the Royal Kingdom of Fife, which has long been recognised as the home of Golf. It’s a place with beautiful beaches and harbour, and some ancient cathedral and castle ruins, and of course a prestigious university, to name but some of its attractions.

Personally I just love St Andrew’s, and Fife in general. Perhaps due to the fact my mother was brought up in Flisk a small village not far from there. Every time we are in the area we try to visit the wee school that she attended at the beginning of the last century. I love to recall all the stories she told us of her country life; The long walk to school on a snowy morning, the breaking of ice in the river to get water, the summer fun running through the woods to swim in the Tay, and the special trips with her dad in horse and trap to the town of Coupar to fetch errands for the farmer.

But I love too the saint Andrew of the Bible. Not that the Bible says very much about him, but the passages that do speak about him describe a man fully committed to following Jesus, and always keen to bring others to meet Him. As a follower of Jesus myself, I can relate to that same enthusiasm, for once you get to know Jesus and appreciate who he is and what he has done for ordinary people like me, you just want to tell others about Him – he really is Jesus Christ – Superstar!

So on St Andrew’s Day can I invite you to check out this Jesus that Andrew and countless thousands down through the centuries have come to know, love and follow? Why not read John’s account of Jesus’ life and death and resurrection in the Gospel he wrote? It could change your life forever!

(Some references to Andrew in the Bible – John 1.41-42, John 6.8-9, John 12.22.23)

Have a great St Andrew’s Day!