Love and Valentine's Day

'Tis the season to be jolly, Falalalalalalalala.

That might sound like a Christmas song but it sure does apply to the celebration the whole world is commemorating. Valentine's Day.

Photo From Learning To Blog

Before the town is painted with all shades of red; before all sorts of flowers bundled into a bouquet; and before all sorts of chocolates were molded into hearts, here are 2 questions to think about. 

• What are we celebrating on Valentine's Day?
• Why is it called Valentine's Day? 

If you already know the answers, then that's awesome. But hey! There's no harm in reading some facts behind Valentine's day.

3 THINGS EVERY CHRISTIAN NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT VALENTINE'S DAY (Especially this year)

Roses are red. Hearts are red. And so is BLOOD. Before February 14 was known to be decorated with flowers (and like I said earlier, all shades of red), it is the celebration of feast of St. Valentine. He is Roman priest who was martyred during the reign of Claudius Gothicos in Rome. He was  caught marrying and aiding Christians, who were by that time are being persecuted. During his imprisonment, he was able to evangelize and convert the Judge and the judge's family. He was brought to the emperor, who for a time, liked him but sentenced him death when he tried to evangelize the emperor. He was told to renounce his faith and when he did not oblige, he was beaten with clubs and stones. When it failed to kill him, he was beheaded. There... there's the blood I'm talking about.

It's not the flowers wrapped in fancy paper. And definitely not just the ring you wear around your finger. While romantic love seems to be the imminent topic during Valentine's love, we should take note of the the truth that the celebration of LOVE cannot be boxed in just one form. For what good it is to love your "boyfriends and girlfriends" and yet fail to show love to others. 

The ever famous verse  1 Corinthian 13:4-8 covers it all. It is everything that describes love. And all were shown by Christ, the perfect example of Love. In general, Valentine's day is a celebration of that love that Christ taught us. St. Valentine was just an instrument of His love when he aided Christians during those times.

'Wag puro heart to heart. Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust. After 73 years, Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine's Day. More reason to have a thorough reflection of God's love to His people. The last time the two occasions met was in 1945. This year's Valentine's Day marks the start of Lent. Today I've read a line from Fulton Sheen's book The Life of Christ that says "A cross without Christ is a sacrifice without love". And somehow, I've reflected it to today's double occasion. A sacrifice and a celebration of love. Both coexist. You cannot love without sacrificing and sacrifices without love are meaningless. So take off that frown due to a meatless date. You're celebrating love and not a saucy steak. A vegan date will not hurt, it will nourish your heart.

Have a joyful Valentine's Day everyone!

About the Writer:

Roseby Valencia hails from Dapitan City and has been working in Cebu for 6 years. She enjoys anything that involves words and colors. Currently, she serves with Lingkod Cebu's Creative Team and also a part-time staffer of Christ Youth in Action - Cebu.