Happy Valentine’s Day

Just a note to remind all who may be involved, this week is Valentine’s Day.

Every year on February 14^th, people send cards to each other or buy candy or flowers for their special “Valentine”.  It is a day to express love and acts of kindness.

Tradition speaks of this day to remember the life of a Christian martyr, Valentinus.  According to various accounts there may have been more than one martyr in the Valentinus family. 

Valentinus was placed in a prison in Rome, Italy, for ministering to Christians who were persecuted under the Roman Empire.
Apparently the heart and romance connection came in his care for the Roman soldiers.  The Roman Empire didn’t want the soldiers to marry, but they all wanted a life.  Valentinus as a minister would perform wedding ceremonies for many that had been forced into the Roman Legions. 

After Valentinus’ arrest, imprisonment, and finally an ultimate sentence of death, the story goes that he prayed for the blind daughter of his judge.  The account that was passed down through the Christian community was that the daughter was healed and her sight restored.

Valentinus wrote her a letter of farewell before his execution.  He signed the letter… Your Valentine.

That Christian martyr died in Rome on February 14^th in the year 269 AD.

The day became associated with love within the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14^th Century.

In 18^th Century England, the day grew into an occasion in which couples expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, candy and cards of greeting, which were known as Valentines.

This day is to remember that love in our lives makes us kinder and more compassionate. 

Let’s remember the greatest “love gift” in the world when God gave us Jesus.  Jesus then gave His life for us!

We are loved beyond the descriptive power of words.  Thank you Lord for loving us!

You are loved, 

Pastor Ralph