Valentine's Day

February 14th is Valentine's Day. It is a day for love, lovers, romance, roses, chocolates. I have noticed that soon after Christmas in over. In January, the Valentine's cards are available. One can argue that it is very commercial, but looking at Valentine's day closely.



The first representation of Saint Valentine appeared in the Nuremberg Chronicle, (1493); alongside the woodcut portrait of Valentine the text states that he was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius II, known as Claudius Gothicus. He was arrested and imprisoned upon being caught marrying Christian couples and otherwise aiding Christians who were at the time being persecuted by Claudius in Rome. Helping Christians at this time was considered a crime. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner -- until Valentinus tried to convert the Emperor -- whereupon this priest was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that didn't finish him, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate. Various dates are given for the martyrdom or martyrdoms: 269, 270, or 273.



The ultimate romantic is Elohim, and who santified marriage and created love and sex to be within the marriage bed. The first marriage was between Adam and Eve. If one reads the Songs of Songs or the Song of Soloman, it is very romantic and it shows the love of a married couple. It is very beautiful, very moving and very touching.



There is nothing wrong with celebrating St Valentine's Day, with the chocolates, flowers or the trip to Paris or a romantic dinner for two, but romance should be in the marriage all the time, not just on February 14th. Husband and wife should have a date night together. Marriage should be for life, and it requires a lot of work, but a lot of enjoyable work. Marriage can be made in heaven.

Happy Valentine's Day