St. Valentine’s Day
The Truth about St. Valentines’ Day
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (St. John 3:16).
St. Valentine’s Day was adopted into Christianity. It was one of the feasts celebrated by pagans long before they converted into Christianity. When the pagans became Christians, they still clang to their ways and traditions. They did not forsake their idols neither their gods, nor their feasts which were dedicated to their gods, even though these were contrary to the word of God (Exodus 20:3).
Origin of St. Valentine
St. Valentine’s Day celebrates the Feast of Lupercalia which was celebrated every February around the 14th 0r 15th in honour of a god called Lupercus. This festival was also associated with fertility, romance and marriage. During this feast and festival, names of young women would be put in a box and for young men to draw in honour of a goddess called Juno Februata who was associated with fertility. The young men and young women who were matched would be considered partners for a year. This matching was called “coupling”. This coupling was done to honour Juno Februata.
Whilst there have been changes through the ages how this Feast is celebrated, the concept has remained the same, thus true to its origin. Even today, St. Valentine’s Day still is associated with celebration of love between man and woman. When the pagans received Christ, they saw this practice of “coupling” as immoral. As a result they slightly changed this festival to make it acceptable to Christianity instead of totally doing away with it.
To Christianize this feast like many other pagan festivals. The name of the Lupercus festival was changed to St. Valentine’s Day. Thus making it more appealing to Christians. To give St. Valentine’s Day further meaning was given to eliminate many of the pagan traditions which were part of this festival. The drawing of young womens’ names was substituted by the drawing of the saints’ names. These youngsters were then supposed to emulate the life of the saint whose name they had drawn. The dates still remained the same dates which honoured pagan gods. And still this practice did not proceed from the Lord. It remained more of men’s reasoning and tradition.
What do the scriptures say about idol worship?
Idolatry, which is idol worship, plagued Israel. Their sin of acknowledging and serving other gods often made Israel to face the wrath of God. God bewailed this practice throughout the old testament. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8), in his earthly ministry preached the worship of the true and living God. This was so that those who believe in Christ will not be deceived to believe that Jesus came to abolish the law and the prophets (St. Matthew 5:17). Christ came proclaiming the words of the prophets and reminding us of he law he came to fulfil and not to destroy (St. Matthew 5:17).
Jesus echoed the commandments, quoting from Old Testament, Deuteronomy saying: “hear O’ Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord” (St. Mark 12: 29) and “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shall thou serve” (St. Matthew 4:10).
Jesus’ disciples continued to preach the same message to Gentiles long after Jesus was departed (Acts 15:20;29). The disciples did not allow the Gentiles to continue to worship their idols and strange gods once they received Christ (I Corinthians 12:2).
Tradition and God’s commandments
Some of our human customs and traditions interfere with the true worship of God. Yet, when we come to God, and Christ is revealed to us, the scriptures will teach us of His (Gods’) ways and if we are truly converted, then we shall be willing to walk in His (Gods’) paths instead of our own paths (Isaiah 2:3). Jesus observed how the scribes and Pharisees could not worship God fully, because of their tradition, and said unto them: “why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?…But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men” (St. Matthew 15:3;9). This proves that some of our tradition or culture may be contrary to the commandments of God. Paul taught and encouraged the Gentiles who were converted to cleave to God and leave their idols behind (I Thessalonians 1:9).
Account of God’s love for man
As people, we are looking for love everywhere else. God is love (I John 4:8). That is the first place to start because God has demonstrated his love for all men. “For God so loved the world…” (St. John 3:16). God’s love for man is so great, that God demonstrated his love by giving his only Begotten Son. Mankind, did not do anything to earn this love. The bible says he loved us before we loved him (I John 4:9-10). God is the true source of love. He authored it, and commanded all men to love one another. Our love for God, can be demonstrated by us loving others.
St. Valentine’s Day contradicts teachings from the bible. God is the source, origin and author of marriage, fertility and of love between husband and wife. God is the source of all kinds of pure love which exists under the sun. It is God who created marriage when He observed that no help meet was found for Adam (Genesis 2:20). “And the Lord said, it is not good for man to be alone; I will make him an help meet for him” (Genesis 2: 18 ).
God blessed marriages with reproduction, that is fertility. The scriptures teach that it is God who blessed man and said “be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it…” (Genesis 1:28). It is the word of God which commands husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the Church (Ephesians 5:25). Whether it is love between husband and wife, parents and children, or our love for general humanity, including our love of God, we know that wherever pure love exists, comes from God, as he commanded us first to love him and to love our neighbours as we love ourselves (St. Luke 10:27).
As followers of Christ, even in these last days, we should stand firm on the word of God. We are often made to believe that these festivals and holidays are innocent. We should not stop to ask ourselves how did this start? and by whose authority were these instituted? By trying to find answers we will be led to search the scriptures (St. John 5:39; Acts 17:11)and to try the spirits (I John 4:1). The bible is there to “teach us of His way … ” (Isaiah 2:3). And when we find that way, “we should walk in His paths” (Isaiah 2:3).
“Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls…” Jeremiah 6:16
Information from: Search the Scriptures: Sabbath School Manual and Study Guide.