What is the story behind Valentine's Day?
Here's the answer:
There are a few different stories behind Valentine's Day, but they all go back to St. Valentine.
Valentine's Day is celebrated because of St. Valentine. He was alive in third-century Rome when the Emperor Claudius made the decision that single men could no longer get married because Claudius said they were better off as single soldiers. The version of the story you read will determine what St. Valentine did next.
In one version of the story, St. Valentine continued to have weddings for soldiers who fell in love, which got him put in jail. He himself fell in love with the jailer's daughter and sent her a card—the first Valentine. He signed it, “Love, your Valentine.” This is how we started the practice of sending Valentine cards and calling people "my Valentine."
While some people connect this holiday back to non-Christian roots, there is no reason to say Christians cannot celebrate this holiday. Since there is nothing wrong with extending our love to others, there is nothing wrong with helping our loved ones feel a little bit more special on Valentine's Day. If you want to celebrate Valentine's this year, know there is nothing wrong with doing so. If you are uncomfortable with celebrating Valentine's Day, that is okay too but know that there is nothing wrong with celebrating this holiday.
Bible Truth
"One person considers one day to be more holy than another. Another person thinks all days are the same. Each of them should be absolutely sure in their own mind" (Romans 14:5).
"So eat and drink and do everything else for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).
"The three most important things to have are faith, hope and love. But the greatest of them is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13).
