Valentine's Day is an annual occasion to celebrate our opportunity to love and be loved by those in our families. And it is a chance to think about restoring families with that love, setting aside differences and conflict to reestablish trust and hope to move forward together.
St. Valentine, the holiday's namesake, gave his life to help people be joined in marriage, against the edict of the Roman Emperor at the time who banned marriage to boost his military in need of soldiers. When the priest Valentine was caught secretly performing weddings, defying the ban on marriage that had been imposed by the Emperor as a solution for military recruitment, he was beheaded – martyred for love.
Throughout the centuries the story persisted and changed, but a celebration of Valentine's Day first became associated with romantic love with the writings of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century. The tradition of courtly love flourished in 18th-century England, with gallant knights and ladies wooing toward marriage, and Valentine's Day evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their adoration for each other by presenting flowers, exchanging sweets, and sending greetings known as "valentines."
Through it all, St. Valentine has become known as the patron saint of love and marriage. His end is a picture of love, but more so of God Himself, giving His life for us through His Son Jesus Christ. From martyrdom for marriage to heart candies, let the story of Valentine's Day be a reminder that love covers a multitude of sins, and challenges us all to love as we have been loved by God (I John 4:19), the restorer of all loves.
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