Complete Parents' Guide to Valentines’ Day

Is Valentine’s Day just a frivolous celebration of romance? Or is there more to it?

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Where Did Valentine’s Day Come From?

Valentine's Day, celebrated every February 14th in the Western world, that has become synonymous with romantic love, with sweethearts exchanging cards, flowers, candy, and other romantic gestures. However, the origins of this holiday in history and legend intertwine with early Christian tradition. The day was originally established to honor Saint Valentine, though the exact details surrounding his life are somewhat shrouded in mystery. Believe it or not, there were at least three Christian martyrs named Valentine, but the most prevalent story is that of a priest in third-century Rome.

In the early 3rd century, Emperor Claudius II banned marriages for young soldiers, believing that unmarried men made better warriors than those with wives and families. A priest named Valentine defied the emperor’s decree and secretly married couples. When this was discovered, Valentine was arrested, tortured, and ultimately executed for his defiance of the emperor's ban. According to some accounts, while in prison, Valentine is said to have healed the jailer's blind daughter, and before his execution, he wrote her a note, signing it "From your Valentine." This gesture, whether true or apocryphal, is thought to have laid the groundwork for the custom of sending notes of affection.

Though the exact date of Valentine’s death is uncertain, February 14th was chosen to commemorate him, and over time, his feast day evolved into what we now know as Valentine's Day.

Who Was the Real Saint Valentine?

As mentioned, there are multiple saints named Valentine in early Christian history, and their stories are often confused. However, the most famous one is the priest of Rome whose courage in standing up for what he believed was right, particularly the sanctity of marriage and love, has made him a symbol of devotion and the patron saint of love.

Some information suggests that Valentine was not only a priest but also a bishop, who worked to spread Christianity in areas outside of Rome, performing secret marriages for Christians who were persecuted. His acts of kindness, compassion, and love toward others earned him recognition after his martyrdom (possibly around the year 270). Over time, his feast day came to be associated with expressing affection, especially romantic love, in tribute to the love Valentine upheld in defiance of authority.

How Does Valentine's Day Relate to What the Bible Teaches About Love?

Though Valentine's Day is celebrated in many parts of the world as a thoroughly secular holiday (and sometimes associated with less-than-holy romantic entanglements), the day and the days leading to it offer unique opportunities to reflect on Christian teachings about love.

The Bible teaches that "God is love" (1 John 4:8), and His nature and actions define what love is really like. When Jesus said, as recorded in Matthew 22:37-39, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. . . and love your neighbor as yourself," he reflected an understanding of true love as both vertical (love for God) and horizontal (love for others). Valentine's Day, then, can be an opportunity to reflect on both aspects of love.

In 1 Corinthians 13, often called the "Love Chapter" of the Bible (and thus frequently read at weddings), Paul of Tarsus described characteristics of true love: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." The love depicted here is selfless and sacrificial, qualities that Christians are encouraged to embody in their relationships with others. This love transcends romantic feelings and encompasses a broader, more enduring commitment.

The Bible also encourages sacrificial love, best exemplified in John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." Such love is not limited to romantic relationships but includes a deeper commitment to others, reflecting the kind of love that Saint Valentine, as a martyr, ultimately demonstrated by giving his life for his faith and for the sake of others’ happiness.

How Can Christian Families Better Celebrate Valentine’s Day?

For Christians, Valentine’s Day offers an opportunity to celebrate not only romantic love but also a broader expression of love grounded in faith. Here are a few ways to celebrate it meaningfully:

1. Express Christ-like Love: Valentine’s Day can be an opportunity to show selfless love and kindness. Beyond romantic relationships, Christians can use the day to reach out to family members, friends, or even strangers, offering encouragement, care, and compassion.

2. Honor Marriage: The Bible says (in Hebrews 13:4, WEB), “Let marriage be held in honor among all.” Thus, for married couples, Valentine’s Day is a chance to reflect on the vows they made before God and one another. It can be a time to pray together, strengthen their bond, and reaffirm their commitment to love in the way Christ loved the church.

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3. Practice Generosity: Christians can use this day to be generous in their communities, perhaps by volunteering or donating to causes that help the needy. This mirrors the sacrificial love Jesus modeled for us, demonstrating that love is not just about receiving but also about giving.

4. Teach Children About Love: Parents can take this opportunity to teach their children about the deeper meanings of love, including God's love for us and how we are called to love others. Valentine’s Day can become a spiritual teaching moment.

5. Prayer and Reflection: A Christian way to celebrate could involve spending time in prayer, reflecting on God’s love, and considering how one can show that love more effectively in their everyday life.

By focusing on love that transcends fleeting emotions and celebrates the enduring, sacrificial love exemplified by Jesus Christ, Christians can make Valentine’s Day not just a time for romantic gestures but a day to reflect the love that defines their faith.

Can TruPlay Games Reinforce Your Family’s Values?

Many kids (and even adults) these days are involved in playing mobile games that express almost anything but love for God and others. For that reason, the TruPlay mobile app—a platform of multiple games, comics, and videos–can be a way for kids and parents to have fun together without disturbing violence, sexual depictions, and other concerning content.

The TruPlay app, sometimes referred to as “the Netflix of Christian mobile games for children,” employs a subscription-based model, which allows children and adults to play, read, and have fun in an environment with no in-app purchases, no ads, and no in-app texting or chats, making it a safe and worry-free gaming environment. Beyond that, however, TruPlay offers even more; its ever-expanding selection of games includes Bible stories, Christian themes and values, and countless hours of engaging fun for children, youth, and adults.

TruPlay's website (TruPlayGames.com) clearly details the app's offerings, and free downloads and trials are available in both the Apple App Store and GooglePlay. Explore the following links to unlock a safer gaming experience for your kids:

● https://www.truplaygames.com/games-more

● https://www.truplaygames.com/user-registration

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