A Deeper look at St. Valentine's Day

This is my Life:  Valentine's Day Epiphany

 

This morning as Connor and I were preparing his Valentine's Day cards for his school party tomorrow, it dawned on me.....St. Valentine's Day.  St.Valentine's Day.  We are preparing these cute Turbo cards for his class mates...this is a Christian holiday.  I thought to myself, why is a Valentine's Day party not frowned upon but a Christmas party is.  Schools can't have a Christmas party because they don't want anyone's feelings to get hurt or because lots of people have different beliefs. 

 So I dug deeper. I did a lot of research on the meaning of St. Valentine's Day.  With it's pagan roots, fertility, lotteries of lust, cupid, very bizarre events and explanations describing the roots of Valentine's Day.  But. St. Valentine was a priest and physician.  He lived his life devoted, serving others, healing.  He was a Christian who was martyred during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Claudius II.  Under his power, all Christians were guilty of treason because he wanted all citizens to worship him and proclaim is he lord.  Of course, for a Christian, there is the one and only heavenly Father.  St. Valentine, even after his arrest, continued to minister in prison.  A prison guard had adopted a young blind girl and the guard had asked if God could help.  St. Valentine prayed over the little girl and her sight was restored.  By this act, the guard and his family of 46 people all accepted Jesus as their savior.  The Emperor heard about this and sentenced St. Valentine to death. 

As St. Valentine was being lead out to his death, he wrote a note to the guards daughter signing it "From Your Valentine".  Which began the tradition of sending Valentine's cards.  Pretty interesting!!

This day, as many Christian holidays are, became very commercialized.  Cards, candy, gifts, sweet speech, etc.  This coming from a hopeless romantic, let's not forget what this day really signifies.  We are actually celebrating the life of a young man who was completely devoted to Christ and his walk with Christ that he would not renounce his faith.  So, this year, let's raise our children to understand the meaning of their cards and spread the love, His love! I have no doubt that Connor will spread His love.  His teacher has told me multiple times that he vocalizes his love for Jesus quite often! Freedom of speech and she loves it!  Follow St. Valentine's example by living for Jesus and serving others.  

 This holiday also, because of how it is commercialized now, can be a depressing day for some.  Single, newly single, divorced, etc.  They feel they don't have anyone to spend this day with.  You could NOT be more wrong.  You have the unconditional love of Jesus!  He loves you, which is all the love you'll ever need :)  How's that for romantic!