The holiday of Valentine's Day probably derives its origins from the ancient Roman feast of Lupercalia. In the early days of Rome, fierce wolves roamed the woods nearby. The Romans called upon one of their gods, Lupercus, to keep the wolves away. A festival held in honor of Lupercus was celebrated February 15th. The festival was celebrated as a spring festival.
One of the customs of the young people was name-drawing. On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia, the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man drew a slip. The girl whose name was chosen was to be his sweetheart for the year.
Legend has it that the holiday became Valentine's Day after a priest named Valentine.
Valentine was a priest in Rome at the time Christianity was a new religion. The Emperor at that time, Claudius II, ordered the Roman soldiers NOT to marry or become engaged. Claudius believed that as married men, his soldiers would want to stay home with their families rather than fight his wars. Valentine defied the Emperor's decree and secretly married the young couples. He was eventually arrested, imprisoned, and put to death.
Valentine was beheaded on February 14th, the eve of the Roman holiday Lupercalia. After his death, Valentine was named a saint. As Rome became more Christian, the priests moved the spring holiday from the 15th of February to the 14th - Valentine's Day. Now the holiday honored Saint Valentine instead of Lupercus.” Holidays.net
These days, Valentine’s Day (THIS TUESDAY!), has become the day to make public statements of affection to the one you love. On Valentines day you have several options. Give a card. Send flowers. Go out to eat. Give a gift. Go out to a movie. Rent a video, order in pizza. The options are endless. The key for us guys is to, 1) remember the day, and, 2) do something/anything about it.
Cause’ you see guys, this day is not just between the two of you. Valentine’s Day is a very public/what did your’s do for you/comparison day. Our performance on this one day in February has a ripple effect across a wide variety of social, physical, emotional, and spiritual spheres of influence.
Remember, the history of this day does include wolves, imprisonment, and the death sentence.
Grace & Peace,
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