Happy Valentine’s Day!

What have you got planned for St Valentine’s Day – 14th February? Are you planning to send a note to your secret (or not so secret) love? Are you hoping your secret love will send something to you?

I remember in high school, spending a lot of time making a card for the boy on whom I had a crush. I made a acrostic poem from his name, which I thought was quite clever. But I don’t think he appreciated it much. I had to find a way to get it to him, but I can’t remember how I did that. Perhaps I snuck it into his school bag. Of course I didn’t sign my name, and I’m not even sure if he ever realised it was from me.

Have you ever wondered about the strange customs of 14th February? What is the true story of Valentine’s Day?

“The Story of St. Valentine,” written by Voice of the Martyrs with Cheryl Odden, tells the true story of Valentine’s Day.

Valentinus was a church leader in the Roman Empire during the third century. Emperor Claudius II had difficulty recruiting soldiers and believed Roman men were unwilling to leave their loved ones because soldiers were required to fight for at least 25 years. Therefore, Claudius banned all marriages and engagements.

Valentinus was very troubled by this, knowing that marriage was God’s idea.

Valentinus, along with Marius, secretly married couples until he was caught, apprehended, and brought before Emperor Claudius.

Valentinus became a martyr on 14^th February 269 AD, when Claudius had him executed for marrying Roman soldiers and refusing to worship Roman gods.

 Almost 200 years later, a church leader declared 14^th February to be the day Christians honour and remember the courageous life of St Valentinus. Adapted from: https://www.persecutionblog.com/2017/02/the-man-behind-the-myth-st-valentine.html

That’s why things are secretive on Valentine’s Day – Valentinus had to act in secret. He did what he knew to be the right thing according to God’s plan for marriage.

Thank God that we don’t have to marry in secret today. Maybe the customs of red roses and chocolates have become commercialised. But, let’s tell others that we love them anyway, not just on one day of the year. Certainly, go out for dinner, buy a nice card, say loving words, and do the things that will fill your loved ones’ love tanks, and speak their love language. But remember the true story of the day, and the saint behind it all.

Prayer:

Loving Heavenly Father, You are love, and the author of love. Everything we know about love comes from you. Thank you that you loved us before we were born. Thank you for sending our loved ones into our lives. Help us to show your love to the people around us, even the ones we don’t find loveable. We pray for those who haven’t yet found their soul-mate, or who have lost loved ones. Thank you for Valentinus. We pray for Christians today who suffer for believing in you. May they be strengthened to endure to the end. Amen.