How It All Got Started
February 12, 2016
As is frequently the case with holidays and celebrations, the roots of Saint Valentine’s Day are quite hazy, depending on which source one uses for his research. Encyclopedia Britannica says, “St Valentine’s Day as a lover’s festival dates at least from the 14 Century. The modern tradition of sending valentine cards has no relation to the saints.” Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary says this about Valentine’s Day: “February 14, observed in honor of Saint Valentine as a day for the exchange of valentines (a card or message, etc expressing affection).” Britannica also states that the valentine was probably the first of all greeting cards.
While we have an abundance of special days that appear to primarily benefit the greeting card/gift industry – Boss’ Day, Secretaries’ Day, Sweetest Day, etc, the history of Valentine’s Day precedes the greeting card industry by several hundred years. And since it is doubtful that some unmarried monk simply decided one day to invent a holiday, let me give you some more likely historical relevance.
First, we know that the word “holiday” comes from Holy day. Holy means “separate” or “unique” as in “one-of-a -kind” or “like no other.” Thus, we have “Holy bible” – a book like no other, and a “Holy God,” a god like no other; “Holy Day,” a day like no other – an extraordinary day!
The roots of the holiday Valentine’s Day are probably found in a Christian preacher named Valentine from the 3rd century, who pastored a church and practiced as a physician. Valentine was martyred – killed – for his faith in 270 AD, when Roman emperor Claudius II Gothicus persecuted the Christians.
The name “Valentine” comes from the Latin language and means “strong.”
While Valentine’s day as a lover’s festival did not commence for another 1100 years, the very fact that the name Valentine was chosen, and the date corresponds with a holy feast day on February 14th, gives us some historical perspectives.
- Valentine’s Day is a time for revealing or expressing a strong affection one has for a sweetheart. Perhaps the idea of a martyr – one who has a love strong enough to die for the one he loves – has some bearing. Love unexpressed dies. But expressed love is willing to lay down ones’ life for another. And a day set aside to demonstrate strong love is a worthy holiday.
- The fact that Valentine’s Day as we know it has “morphed” into a day of sending/exchanging cards, sweets and gifts does not diminish the power and significance of profoundly devoted love as was shown by Pastor Valentine 1746 years ago, when he showed his devotion by dying for his faith.
Love should not be cheap; it costs
But money is not the price of love; life is. While we spend billions of dollars on cards, gifts, chocolates, hotels, trips, etc for Valentine’s Day, all of those things only make sense if the love is deeper than that. The THINGS are SYMBOLS. There must be substance and depth behind the symbol. Men are particularly vulnerable to this, thinking they can “buy” love. Well, one might buy sex or an escort, but no one has ever yet “bought” love. Love comes from the heart, not the wallet. What your sweetheart wants more than another box of chocolates is the gift of your time and attention. The chocolates make the time spent together all the more fun.
Love is willing to “suffer”
The word “suffer” doesn’t actually mean physical pain or affliction as we often use it; it means to put up with something or someone. When you love someone, you put up with many things you would not put up with in others. That’s where the statement, “Love is blind” comes from. Love is “blind” to the weaknesses and errors in those we love.
Not all love is the same
Some love should be “holy”. Uniquely a one-of-a-kind love. We probably use the word love much too indiscriminately. We “love” hot dogs, football, days off, or our new car. Yet, when we truly feel the depth of love for that special someone, they should not be lumped together with hot dogs, sports, or a car, etc. True love should be one-of-a-kind, and the object of our love should know it.
I DO love my work.
But the value of my work is really found not only in the joy I derive from accomplishment, but also the means I earn to express love to those who are truly important to me. I think it would be wise of me to say I ENJOY my work and to reserve the word “love” for those who are extraordinary in my life. I hope you will make every effort to show that special someone in your life the love you have for them in your heart on this Saint Valentine’s Day!
