From a little search ‘on line’, there is apparently no firm evidence as to where the Valentine’s Day celebration actually came from. But one of the legends has it that one of the Monarchs many years ago had outlawed marriage because he wanted all of the able bodied men to go to war, and not be concerned about a wife and family. This legend says a Priest named Valentine defied the order, and secretly married young lovers that came to him. He was executed, but died in the name of love on the 14th of February. Later, this date was declared to be a national day of recognizing the power of love, and hence we celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th each year. Whether the legend is true or not we do not know, but we do know there is power in Love, and the Lord asks us to use that power every day.
The Word tells us that “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) And we know from the Word, that it was Love that caused our Father in heaven to send His Son Jesus to set us free from sin and death, and to give us eternal life with Him. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall never perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
We do not know if the events leading to the Legend of St. Valentine really occurred, but we know that true Love is real, and that people will die for it. And for those who have believed that Christ Jesus gave His life out of love for us, we know for certain that what the Apostle John wrote under the guidance of the Holy Spirit is real from the life changing experience the power of Christ’s love brings into our lives.
We know the English word ‘love’ has many different applications, and ways used. We can ‘love’ a pet. We can ‘love’ a friend. We can ‘love’ a child or other member of the family. We can ‘love’ a sweetheart/wife. God is in all of these because He IS Love. His Holy Spirit within all believers inspires us to show love every day to all of those in our lives. We see in God’s Word how love is shown, and it applies in all applications: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self seeking , it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8) Amen.
Happy Valentine’s Day, God’s Beloveds. In the way we show love to those in our lives today, let it be so every day through and by the love Father God, who is the source of all love, has given us in Christ Jesus. Blessings upon you, and yours, my Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
Poppa B.