Valentine’s Day has a mysterious past with roots in both Christian and ancient Roman customs.
According to one account, the church created Valentine’s Day on February 14 (or 15) in an attempt to convert the pagan Lupercalia festival—which was marked by animal sacrifice, intoxication, and the sexual partnering of men and women—to Christianity.
According to a different theory, Valentine’s Day honors St. Valentine, a Roman physician and priest who was crucified in 270 AD. Legend has it that he fell in love with his jailer’s daughter, whom he had miraculously treated, prior to his death. He wrote her a letter before he passed away that was signed “From your Valentine,” a term that is still in use today. But it wasn’t until the 14th century that English poet Geoffrey Chaucer made a clear connection between Valentine’s Day and romance, establishing the custom that we are familiar with today.
1. A Justification for Indulgence and Excess?
Valentine’s Day is primarily seen by non-Christians as a celebration of sensuous love that plays on desire while neglecting genuine commitment. It is viewed as a license for adultery, fornication, and sexual immorality, which frequently results in deceit and brokenness. For sex, young guys vow love. Young ladies pretend to be interested in order to get Instagram-worthy Valentine’s Day pictures or to avoid being alone. Like Lupercalia, which was characterized by decadence and debauchery, the day thus reflects its pagan origins.
It seems sensible that some Christians avoid or completely disregard Valentine’s Day in light of these facts. However, what ought Christians to do? How can we interact with the environment without fitting in? How do we show Christ’s love while enduring the immorality of the day?
2. A Chance to Show Love
Christians, like the early church, have the chance to reclaim Valentine’s Day by reflecting God’s love rather than using it as a day for indulgence. After all, we are urged to love God and our neighbor on this day just like every other. “If you love one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples” (John 13:35). Thus, Valentine’s Day is a wonderful chance to consider and demonstrate Christ’s love, particularly at a time when love is already on everyone’s mind. For:
- Valentine’s Day offers married couples an opportunity to display their love for one another through romantic notes, considerate presents, or deeds of kindness, while keeping in mind that love should be shown every day.
- When you date Christians, you have the chance to honor and value your spouse while reiterating your dedication to intentionality and purity in your relationship.
- For Christians who are single, this is a time to give thanks to God for the time spent alone and to have faith in His impeccable timing for a future marriage.
All Christians are called to demonstrate God’s love for others by doing sincere and selfless deeds, regardless of their current relationship status. Valentine’s Day offers a special chance to proclaim the gospel and show God’s love to everyone in our vicinity, including unbelievers. Valentine’s Day offers a special chance to spread the unselfish, eternal, and redemptive love of Christ during a time when everyone is focused on love. Let’s use this day to spread the gospel and show people the greatest love of all.
3. Honor God’s Love
God is love at his core (1 John 4:16). Even on Valentine’s Day, he can be exalted. This day, like all others, was commanded by the Lord before it was connected to pagan customs or the commemoration of St. Valentine.
When Christ died on the cross for us while we were still sinners, it was the ultimate act of love. “Laying down one’s life for one’s friends is the greatest form of love” (John 15:13). We are called to share Christ’s love with others and are given eternal life as a result of his death and resurrection. Let’s make the day a reminder to show his love to people who are in need of truth and hope.
Valentine’s Day provides Christians with a chance to consider Christ, our real Valentine. He won us over with the greatest act of love—giving his life to save us—rather than with flowers, chocolates, or pretentious words. Talk to others about the true Valentine, the One whose love is unending, selfless, and life-giving, wherever you are right now. We love because of his love.
