The history of Valentine’s Day is shrouded in mystery, with origins rooted in both Christian and ancient Roman traditions.
One theory suggests that the church established February the 14 (or 15th) as Valentine’s Day in an effort to Christianise the pagan festival of Lupercalia, which was characterised by animal sacrifice, drunkenness, and the sexual pairing of men and women.
It wasn’t until the 14th century that an English poet explicitly linked Valentine’s Day to romance.
Another theory suggests that Valentine’s Day commemorates St Valentine, a Roman priest and physician martyred in 270 AD. According to legend, before his execution, he fell in love with his jailer’s daughter, whom he had miraculously healed. Before his death, he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” a phrase that continues to be used today. However it wasn’t until the 14th century that English poet Geoffrey Chaucer explicitly linked Valentine’s Day to romance, shaping the tradition we now recognise.
An Excuse for Excess and Indulgence?
For many non-Christians, Valentine’s Day is purely about sensual love, appealing to desire but ignoring true commitment. It’s treated as a license for sexual immorality, fornication, and adultery, often ending in deception and brokenness. Young men promise love for sex. Young women feign interest to avoid being alone or to get Instagram-worthy Valentine’s Day photos. In these ways, the day reflects its pagan roots, much like Lupercalia, which was marked by indulgence and immorality.
How can we avoid conforming to the world while still engaging with it?
Given these realities, it’s understandable why some Christians shun or ignore Valentine’s Day altogether. But what should Christians do? How can we avoid conforming to the world while still engaging with it? How do we endure the immorality associated with the day yet still display Christ’s love?
An Opportunity to Express Love
Like the early church, Christians have the opportunity to redeem Valentine’s Day—not as a day of indulgence, but to reflect God’s love. After all, it is a day like any other, where we’re called to love God and love our neighbour. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Therefore, Valentine’s Day offers a great opportunity to reflect and display the love of Christ, especially when the world is already thinking about love. For:
- Married couples, Valentine’s Day provides a chance to express love through romantic notes, thoughtful gifts or acts of service, all the while remembering that love should be shown day-to-day.
- Dating Christians it is an opportunity to honour and appreciate your partner while reaffirming your commitment to purity and intentionality in the relationship.
- Single Christians, it is a time to thank God for the season of singleness, trusting His perfect timing for a future spouse.
Regardless of one’s relationship status, all Christians are called to reflect God’s love through genuine and sacrificial acts toward others. Valentine’s Day presents a unique opportunity to share God’s love with those around us, including non-believers, and to spread the good news of the gospel. As the world focuses on love, Valentine’s Day presents a unique opportunity to share the true love of Christ—a love that is selfless, eternal, and redemptive. Let’s use this day to demonstrate and share the gospel, pointing others to the greatest love of all.
Celebrate the Love of God
In his fundamental nature and being, God is love (1 John 4:16). And he can be glorified even on Valentine’s Day. Before it became associated with pagan traditions or the celebration of St Valentine, this day—like every other—was ordained by the Lord.
Christ didn’t woo us with flowers or shallow words, but with the greatest act of love.
The greatest act of love was demonstrated by Christ on the cross, where he gave his life for us while we were still sinners. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we are offered eternal life and called to extend his love to others. Let’s use the day as a reminder to extend his love to those in need of hope and truth.
For Christians, Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on our true Valentine: Christ. He didn’t woo us with chocolates, flowers, or shallow words, but with the greatest act of love: laying down his life for our redemption. Wherever you are today, take the opportunity to speak to others of the true Valentine, the One whose love is eternal, sacrificial, and life-giving. His love, is the reason we love.
