LOVE, VALENTINE AND IT'S SIGNIFICANCE BY ISRAEL KASHIM AUDU

 

LOVE, VALENTINE AND IT'S SIGNIFICANCE BY ISRAEL KASHIM AUDU

Sometimes I hear people say Valentine's day is only for the Christians, some go as far as saying it is not in their teaching of faith or believe. In as much as the history of Valentine is linked to a Catholic priest, we should reflect on what he did for humanity and his teaching on love. Going further, what matters about this day is that it reminds us of the need to show love, care, kindness, and bond for our neighbors and for one another, it is to also remember the poor, widows, family members, prisoners, friends, widowers, less- loved, less-privileged, orphans, sick, etc. Knowing that this love must be a continuous one not just on Valentine's day. The significance of this day is not just for christians alone but for all to reflect on. 

 It is not a time to sin with your partner or a time to have sex (for those not married) but to bond and reflect with your partner, see the reason and the need to improve in your love for each other. So many of us don't know the origin of Valentine or Valentine's day now the next paragraph will tell us more.

What is Valentine's Day? St Valentine's Day is an annual festival to celebrate romantic love, friendship, admiration and not just all about sex. Every year on 14 February people celebrate this day by sending messages of love and affection to partners, family and friends. Couples send Valentine's Day cards and flowers and spend special time together to honour their love for each other.

The Early History of Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is named after Saint Valentine, a Catholic priest who lived in Rome in the 3rd Century. There are many stories about St Valentine and over time these stories grew into the legend we know today.

At the time of Valentine's life, many Romans were converting to Christianity, but the Emperor Claudius II was a pagan and created strict laws about what Christians were allowed to do. Claudius believed that Roman soldiers should be completely devoted to Rome and therefore passed a law preventing them from marrying. St Valentine began to marry these soldiers in secret Christian ceremonies and this was the beginning of his reputation for believing in the importance of love.

Eventually, Valentine was found out and jailed for his crimes against Claudius. While imprisoned, Valentine cared for his fellow prisoners and also his jailor's blind daughter. Legend has it that Valentine cured the girl's blindness and that his final act before being executed was to write her a love message signed ‘from your Valentine'. Valentine was executed on 14 February in the year 270.

How did Valentine's Day develop?

It wasn't until more than 200 years later that 14 February was proclaimed St Valentine's Day. By this time Rome had become Christian and the Catholic Church was determined to stamp out any remaining paganism. A pagan fertility ritual was held in February each year and the Pope abolished this festival and proclaimed 14 February Saint Valentine's Day, thus establishing this feast day on the Catholic Calendar of Saints, now even non Catholics celebrate this day even more. Why Valentine will not be mentioned at mass during this year's 2021 Valentine's day is because it falls on a Sunday and Sunday is always a solemnity on it's own. 

The poet Chaucer in the Middle Ages was the first to link St Valentine with romantic love. This was the beginning of the tradition of courtly love, a ritual of expressing love and admiration, usually in secret. This custom spread throughout Europe and stories grew about a High Court of Love where female judges would rule on issues related to love on 14 February each year. Historians believe that these meetings were in fact gatherings where people read love poetry and played games of flirtation.

Valentine unique gift idea

Visitation: As for me this should be one of the best valentine gift to give to someone who is lonely and afflicted, the reason why visitation should be on a priority is that it shows the person whom your visiting that someone out there still remembers them, visiting is a kind of remembrance. Though this may sound or look so simple but its effect is a long lasting one.

Encouragement: Another valentine gift idea is encouragement, when you pay a visit don’t just visit them and go back, try as much as you can to encourage the ones you have visited, make them feel they are loved and tell them that all hope is not lost at least at this season of love there are people who he/she may be better than but in all life continues.

Outing: This should be upon request, take them to a place that would make them feel belonged. Treat them with love and kindness, make every moment they spent outing a memorable one which they would not forget in a hurry. There are so many places that one can have fun especially during this valentine season, just go through your local listing and pick a place you think would be suitable for the person involved. While doing this please stay safe. 

Valentine's Day Symbols;

The practice of sending love messages developed into people sending special cards expressing their affection and using the colour red for most activities on this day. These cards were beautiful creations handmade by the sender and individually designed to show how much they loved the recipient. Cards would usually contain sentimental verse, proclaiming the beauty of the receiver and how much they were loved.

Saint Valentine's Day cards were decorated with pictures of cupid, hearts and flowers and trimmed with lace and ribbon. These images are still used today to symbolise love and are recognised all over the world.

What is Valentine's Day in Contemporary Times?

While Valentine's Day is celebrated in most countries, different cultures have developed their own traditions for this festival. In some parts of the world Valentine's Day is observed as a day for expressing love between family members and friends, rather than that of romantic couples. Some traditions include leaving lollies and gifts for children and others include acts of appreciation between friends.

Valentine's Day is most commonly associated with romantic love, with millions of Valentine's Day cards being exchanged each year. Gifts of flowers or a single red rose are sent with romantic messages to loved ones and couples spend special time together. 

Many couples choose to celebrate Valentine's Day with dinner, a picnic or special home-cooked meal. Many restaurants offer Valentine's Day dinner promotions and food is often presented with symbols of love like hearts and flowers. Another popular Valentine's Day activity is to indulge in a luxury hotel stay in a beautiful location, allowing a couple to get away from it all and enjoy some quality time together. Marriage proposals are also popular on Valentine's Day, and it is often chosen as the perfect day to express their love and commitment. Some marriage proposals are delivered very creatively, such as after climbing to the top of a mountain, or posting a message on a billboard. Whatever the method, marriage proposals made on Valentine's Day are generally romantic and memorable. 

Finally, For those who lack love may you find love and be loved today, for married couples may the bond be an everlasting one and for those yet to marry may you find the right one for you, for broken marriages, relationships, or broken love may restoration take place today. Amen! 

Make that call and put a smile on someone's face today.

Happy Valentine's day!!!