Who knows the answer to this question ??? In my own personal quest to read the book of GOD, The bible, It seems it has become my turn again to preach or give sermon on an American "holiday" time. So is Valentines day a Christian or Pagan holiday ??? I will have to search the history books and not the bible for this answer. First off isn't it St. Valentine's day. One would assume that makes it a Christian holiday. But I doesn't say that in the bible. There is no real correlation between saints and romance, So I'm leaning toward the Pagan side, But history will sort it out.
In fact the Romans celebrated February 14th to honor Juno Fructifier, Queen or Roman gods and goddesses, as well as goddess of marriage. On this day Roman woman would place there name in a box, Roman men would take a name, Which would entitle them to couple together for one year, thus promoting fertility to spread the Roman seed, Making the tribe or culture stronger. The process would start all over again a year later and every year after,,, Now that's not very Christian is it ???
Where or how does Christianity come in, Who is St. Valentine ? This is where it became interesting to me and I hope you too !!!
According to the stories Through history Roman Emperor Claudius II imposed a ban on all marriage because a married man could not be drafted, So early draft dodging marriages came about, Only single men could be in the army, This also made the Pagan February 14th celebration appealing, Single men could spread there seed and fight for the Roman army. Along came this priest of Christianity named Valentios, He would perform marriages before the lord and this made him a martyr. Upon waiting for execution many young lovers would visit and leave love notes which mostly said "love is better than war" He was killed on February 14th 269 AD.
The next Valentios was a priest that also was jailed for helping Christians. While jailed he fell in love with the jailers daughter. He would send her notes and sign "From your Valentine" He was beheaded on February 14th
Lastly the third Valentios was a bishop of a place called Turni, He to was spreading love not war and was martyred and killed on February 14th
All killed on this day by Pagans to keep there traditions alive and squashing a way of love and peace. How did we get to Love with the little cupids and heart stuff. Well in 469 AD Emperor Gelasius declared February 14th a holiday in honor of the Velantius men, Instead of the former pagan god Fructifer Lepecus. This allowed Christianity to take precedence over the foul seed spreading lust and fertility,,,But the pagans fought back hard.
It wasn't until the 14th century when the renaissance began. The customs of love and romance began again. The poets began sprouting love about, Authors wrote books of romance. Society became about love and life not death of faith. Humanistic views of nature, social thought, Sensual art and literature. The flowers bloomed, Love, sexuality and fertility were alive in a civilized Christian way
Today our society with capitalism has taken this to a greater level and the true meaning has been forgotten. We spend millions upon millions of dollars on chocolates, candies, flowers, dinners, hotels, jewelry, gifts and trinkets Celebrating Valentines day. You must decide on your own, Make your own decisions or resolution about another over commercialized holiday.
In the song of Solomon it says "Many waters can not quench love, rivers can not wash it away, if one were to give all the wealth of his house for love it would be utterly scorned" So gifts don't just show love, They do help though. Love can hurt, Love can and is beautiful,,, Just say it to some one and watch them smile. We need to love more, if you don't feel you share it enough share it on February 14th The day of love ST. Valentines day. Let us not forget there sacrifice for our little cupids, cards and candies. I hope you learned something, I know I did, I love you babe, Everyone else, SPREAD LOVE NOT WAR... Until next time "Jeff da Plumber" OUT
No comments:
Post a Comment