Modeling God’s love during Valentine’s month and beyond! (Week 1)
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.”
– Romans 12:9 (NLT)
February is the month that Valentine’s Day is celebrated and February 14th is always celebrated as Valentine’s Day. But where did the concept come from and when did we begin celebrating Valentine’s Day in the United States? This month I will begin looking at the origin of Valentine’s Day.
Where did Valentine’s Day get its start?
Saint Valentine (a.k.a. Valentinus) served in third century Rome. A few stories are circulating as to the origin of Valentine’s Day. One legend is that Emperor Claudius decided that single men made better soldiers. Therefore, Claudius banned soldiers from being married. One version of the tale indicates that Valentine continued to perform weddings of young soldiers who were in love, and Claudius had Valentine captured and imprisoned. While in prison, Valentine reportedly fell in love with the jailor’s daughter. According to legend, Valentine sent her a card and signed it: “Love, your Valentine.” Valentine’s sentence was carried out the next day, February 14. In approximately 498 A.D., Pope Gelasius declared February 14th as St. Valentine’s Day to honor the martyred Valentinus.
In the United States allegedly the first Valentine was published in the 1840s by Esther Howgald. Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the United States, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Denmark and Italy. On Valentine’s Day people show their romantic love, friendship or admiration, whether it is by way of a card, gift or via a message of love to their special someone. Thus, a Valentine can be sent to one’s spouse, partner, family member(s) or friends.
If you are looking for ways to celebrate the concept of showing love during the month of February and beyond, may I suggest you observe it by being an example of God’s love? For the next three weeks, join me as we explore several ways of modeling God’s love today and every day!
Next week: Continuation
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February is the month that Valentine’s Day is celebrated and February 14th is always celebrated as Valentine’s Day. But where did the concept come from and when did we begin celebrating Valentine’s Day in the United States? This month I will begin looking at the origin of Valentine’s Day.
In the United States allegedly the first Valentine was published in the 1840s by Esther Howgald. Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the United States, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Denmark and Italy. On Valentine’s Day people show their romantic love, friendship or admiration, whether it is by way of a card, gift or via a message of love to their special someone. Thus, a Valentine can be sent to one’s spouse, partner, family member(s) or friends.
