Valentine Origins
The True Origin of Valentine’s Day—And What It Means for Us
Every February 14th, the world celebrates Valentine’s Day with flowers, chocolates, and heart-shaped everything. Many believe the holiday originated from a tale of a kind-hearted priest, St. Valentine. Others think it’s purely commercial, designed by companies to sell greeting cards and candy. But what’s the real story?
The Truth Behind Valentine’s Day
Historically, Valentine’s Day has roots in both Christian and Roman traditions. The Catholic Church recognizes multiple saints named Valentine, but the most well-known was a third-century Roman priest. According to legend, he defied Emperor Claudius II’s decree against soldiers marrying, believing that love and commitment honored God more than the laws of man. For this, he was imprisoned and ultimately executed on February 14, around AD 269.
Over time, this act of faithfulness and sacrifice was woven into the holiday we now associate with romantic love. But at its core, the holiday was never about grand romantic gestures—it was about a commitment to love, even when it came at a cost.
The Greatest Love Story
While Valentine’s Day celebrates human love, it pales in comparison to the greatest love story ever told—the love of Jesus for us. Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of love by laying down His life for us (John 15:13). His love isn’t based on fleeting emotions or romance, but on sacrifice, grace, and an unbreakable covenant.
In a world where love is often measured by gifts and feelings, Jesus calls us to a different kind of love—one that serves, forgives, and endures. Whether we’re single, dating, or married, the truest expression of love we can experience and share is the love of Christ.
A Valentine’s Challenge
This week, let’s go beyond candy and cards. Choose one intentional act of Christ-like love:
- Encourage someone who’s struggling—a text, call, or handwritten note can make all the difference in the world.
- Serve in love—buy a coffee for a coworker, help a neighbor, or volunteer with the NextGen team at church. (See what I did there?)
- Forgive—Search your feelings; is there someone you need to let go of bitterness toward? Love is patient, kind, and keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).
Let this Valentine’s Day be more than a holiday. Let it be a reflection of the One who first loved us and calls us to love in return.