There are important things to keep in mind as many of us prepare for Valentine's celebrations with loved ones, family and friends. As we bake heart shaped cookies, don pink or red outfits and hang hearts & cupid cut outs. As some wed or propose marriage or set dates with that special someone. Others buy flowers or chocolates or cards for friends and family members. Still others bake doggie cookies for furry friends.
The Origins 0f Valentine's Day
"You may already know that Valentine's Day was named after its patron saint, St. Valentine — but there's actually some confusion surrounding which St. Valentine the holiday technically honors. According to History.com, there are at least two men named Valentine that could've inspired the holiday, including one Valentine who was a priest in third century Rome. As the story goes, this Valentine defied Emperor Claudius II's ban on marriage (he thought it distracted young soldiers), illegally marrying couples in the spirit of love until he was caught and sentenced to death.
Another legend suggests that Valentine was killed for attempting to help Christians escape prison in Rome, and that he actually sent the first "valentine" message himself while imprisoned, writing a letter signed "From your Valentine."
"Though some historians believe that Valentine's Day commemorates the death of St. Valentine on February 14, others believe that the holiday actually has its origins in a Pagan fertility festival called "Lupercalia," which was celebrated on February 15 in ancient Rome. Dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, and Roman founders Romulus and Remus, the day was celebrated by sacrificing animals and smacking women with animal hides, a practice that was believed to encourage fertility."
"At the end of the 5th century, Roman Pope Gelasius officially declared the date of February 14 "St. Valentine's Day." It wasn't until until the Middle Ages, though, that the holiday became associated with love and romance, a tradition that first started from the common belief in France and England that birds started their mating season on February 14."
"He's the charming cherub that appears on Valentine's Day cards, often depicted with a bow and arrow — but how did Cupid become a common symbol of Valentine's Day? According to Time, the figure can actually be traced all the way back to 700 B.C., to the Greek god of love named Eros, who was actually a handsome, immortal man with the intimidating power to make people fall in love. It wasn't until the 4th century BCE that the Romans adopted Eros into the image of a cute little boy with a bow and arrow, naming him "Cupid." By the turn of the 19th century, Cupid had become linked to Valentine's Day due to his love-matching powers." Whatever the origins of the day let us take a moment to remember where L O V E truly started. Our Heavenly Father created us to know us and to love us and because he loves us, we too can love. So as the Apostle John reminds us below. 1 John 4:19, "We love him, because he first loved us." KJV
1 John 4:19, "We love him, because he first loved us." KJV
God not only created us to know us and love us, he also came into the world in the form of a man ( his son, Lord Jesus) was born and walked with us, he lived, loved taught us and took on the sins of the world and died for us and thru His Holy Spirit came back to live inside each believer who repents and asks and gives us eternal life with him. NOW THATS LOVE !!!
So this year as you prepare to share your heart with your loved ones be sure to take a moment to remind your Heavenly Father how much you love him. Thank Him, make it special, make it heartfelt and make it yours. As you are unique, after all he created each of us. Need an idea? Take a tip from the Lord , pray about it, maybe direct your God given gifts or talents. back to Him. Maybe write a special song, a poem or note. If you aren't a poet then find a favorite poet or quote from a poem and read it to him or maybe even draw Him a picture or bake him a cookie or dedicate your work day to him this Valentine's Day reminding him that HE is loved.
And as Apostle Paul reminds us from the Bible
from 1st Corinthians 13 :4-8 NIV
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love Never Fails ...
From Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord...
So this Valentine's day take an opportunity to celebrate the Lord, the one who CREATED L O V E itself and made the ULTIMATE sacrifice of L O V E for all of us and dedicate your Valentine's day to the Lord vs any saint or cherub.
Excerpts from: Good House Keeping . com https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/valentines-day-ideas/a26863/valentines-day-facts/
