The Gospel Origins of Valentine's Day

If you shrug Valentine's Day aside as an over-commercialized holiday, you might think again this year. Did you know that February 14 originated as a Christian holiday?

Saint Valentine was a temple priest serving under the brutal rule of the Roman Emperor Claudius Caesar, who became known as Claudius the Cruel for his ruthless efforts to extend the Roman Empire into Africa and beyond some 200 years after Christ's crucifixion. When Claudius had trouble recruiting men to join his bloody campaigns, he banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. Recognizing the injustice of the decree, Valentine performed Christian marriages in secret until he was captured and imprisoned.

While he was imprisoned in the house of an aristocrat, Valentine shared the hope and joy of Jesus Christ with his captors. When the family asked him to show proof of his faith, Valentine invited the aristocrat's blind daughter forward so he could lay hands on her and pray for healing. In that moment, she was healed from her blindness and the whole household proclaimed belief in the Gospel.

Emperor Claudius had Valentine beaten and then beheaded on February 14, 269, and some believe that Valentine left a letter behind for the aristocrat's daughter, whom he had befriended; he signed the note from "Your Valentine."

While many historians suggest that the story of Saint Valentine is an amalgamation of multiple Valentine stories, two of whom were priests beheaded by Claudius around the same time, the legend of this third-century Roman priest is worth noting: He stood boldly for his faith despite the dangers that surrounded him, and he embodied the healing of the Holy Spirit and the love of Jesus Christ in all that he did.

How might we rewrite Valentine's Day as an opportunity to share the Gospel with others and spread the love of Christ in all that we do? While flowers and chocolates are lovely, what lasting impact can you have on someone else with the words that you speak or the actions you take to demonstrate God's love?

Blessings on your week,

Jennie