12/02/2015
VALENTINE!
Background, Behaviour & Bible
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT VALENTINE AND ITS CELEBRATION
Valentine’s Day is considered a time to celebrate what is called love, in any form. A day for grandparents to show affection to grandchildren, husbands to wives, brothers to sisters, boyfriends to girlfriends etc.
In the Philippines, thousands of couples participate in the world’s largest kissing event. In Nigeria, husbands and wives dine at restaurants with family. In Brazil, concerts featuring romantic samba music occur nationwide.
While wearing hearts symbol being “in love,” and showing a “special someone” how much you care by giving a teddy bear, chocolates or flowers may seem perfectly innocent, there is another side to this “Day for Lovers” most people fail to consider.
But where did the holiday originate—and how did cards, the heart symbol and Cupid come to be associated with it?
One legend purports Valentine was a Roman priest: It is believed that the young priest rose to distinction after betraying Emperor Claudius in 270 AD by conducting illegitimate wedding ceremonies in the capital, Emperor Claudius claimed that married men made poor soldiers and consequently decreed that all marriages of younger citizens would be outlawed. Bishop Valentine, however, maintained that marriage was part of God’s plan and purpose for the world. He continued to conduct marriages in secret between young people.
His success gained him unwelcomed dishonor, which became Bishop Valentine’s downfall. He was jailed and ultimately beheaded, but not before he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter. It was thought that on the evening of his ex*****on, the Bishop passed her a note which read ‘from your Valentine’. This story is what has blossomed into the defining tradition of Valentine’s Day.
Aside, the above story, it is very necessary we come to the realization that Valentine was executed in February 14, 270AD, on a day that the Romans celebrated Lupercalia, a festival honoring the birth of Romulus and Remus, the twin founders of the city.
For part of the celebration, on February 14, young women would place their names in a box. Eligible men would draw a name and the couple would pair of for the rest of the festival -- sometimes even longer. As Christianity progressed into Rome, the practice was decried as Pagan and immoral, and done away with by Pope Gelasius.
In 494AD, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 a holy day in honor of Valentinus instead of the pagan god Lupercalia. This allowed Christianity to take over some of the celebrations of love and fertility which had previously occurred in the context of paganism. Pagan celebrations were reworked to fit the martyr theme. Christianity did not approve of rituals that encouraged s*xuality. Instead of pulling girls’ names from boxes, both boys and girls chose the names of martyred saints from a box. The challenge for these bachelors was to try to be more saint-like in the coming year, studying and learning about the messages of their individual saint.
It wasn’t until the Renaissance of 14th century that customs returned to celebrations of love and life rather than faith and death. People began to break free of some of the so called bonds imposed upon them by the Church and move towards a humanistic view of nature, society, and individualism. Moving towards more sensual art and literature, a lot of poets and authors wrote stories in connection with love, s*xuality, and procreation.
A common symbol of this day is Cupid, often pictured as a chubby, winged baby who shoots arrows to make people fall in love. This Roman god’s name is derived from the Latin word cupido, meaning “desire.”
Today, Cupid’s arrow has become an accepted symbol of love. His name and image are frequently associated with Valentine’s Day cards, romantic gifts and dating services, as well as is the heart symbol, which is said to be the seat of emotion.
As a result of the atrocity connected to this very day, Valentine’s Day is no longer part of the official liturgical calendar of any Christian church; and in 1969, it was dropped from the Catholic calendar. It’s no longer a feast, a celebration, or a memorial of any martyr.
As you continue to read, it is important you know that true, mature love can be defined as genuine concern that is directed outwardly towards another. Love is unselfish. It is not focused on getting or taking, but rather is interested in the welfare of others, and is centered on the desire to give.
Valentine’s Day has always focused on GETTING: from getting a s*x partner for the year in ancient times to getting affection, getting love—getting SEX— today!
No matter how hard a person tries, or how sincere one is, the lust-filled pagan origins of Valentine’s Day cannot be ignored. God does not—and would never—condone such a holiday. Notice: “This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not act like the other nations … Their ways are futile and foolish…” (Jer. 10:2-3 NLT).
True love cannot be expressed once a year as part of a superficial holiday. Nor can it be found in a one-day affair of free s*x that so often results in unwanted pregnancies, abortions, STDs, pain, depression or su***de. Instead, true love is focused on continually GIVING another person what he or she needs with no ulterior motives. 1 cor. 13:5 (NLT) says “…Love does not demand its own way…”
If that boy or girl is trying to lure you this period, know for sure that he/she does not love you. If he/she does, he/she will wait until you are both pronounced husband and wife.
If you are looking for someone to go out on a “date” in this valentine period, allow me to introduce you to Jesus Christ. A single date with Jesus this valentine season will turn your story around. Hear what he says in Rev. 3:20 (NLT) “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Won’t you rather share a meal with Jesus this Valentine period than sharing it with someone who has no eternal plans for you?
To share a meal with Jesus, just say, LORD Jesus, come into my heart and be the Lord of my life. And that settles it. You are welcome to the world of Christ!
For more enquires and counseling, please contact Scripture Union (Nigeria) on any of these numbers:
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