How you can Make Valentine’s Day about Extra Than Simply Sweet for Your Children

Valentine’s Day is simply across the nook, and with it, an abundance of sweet, hearts, and little paper playing cards to provide and obtain. As jovial as this vacation may be, on the subject of instructing kids, there’s a lovely alternative to dig somewhat deeper and assist them be taught who Valentine actually was. When kids come to know why we rejoice this vacation, they will carry with them the inspiration of how to honor the roots and intentions of St. Valentine himself. His legacy can prolong far past plush bears and candies, and we will encourage a era by instructing them the origins of Valentine’s Day.

Who Was St. Valentine?

In line with numerous accounts, there was not a single St. Valentine, however a number of Valentines who sacrificed themselves in service of the Lord and in serving to others. The primary account is that of a Valentine, a Catholic priest in the course of the reign of Emperor Claudius II, who dominated from 268 to 270 A.D. (Brittanica, 1). Because the passed-down account goes, Valentine carried out marriages in secret, although it was in opposition to the legislation. Claudius was fixated on army service on the time and thus outlawed the performing of marriages in order that males wouldn’t have the distraction of a spouse and household at dwelling. This led to his imprisonment on the dwelling of a noble. In line with Historical past.com, he prayed for and healed his jailer’s daughter, therapeutic her blindness by way of the Holy Spirit. The miracle surprised the household, and in flip, your entire family got here to religion in Christ, however this additionally sealed the destiny that Valentine was to be put to loss of life by the federal government’s orders. The story continues that he signed a be aware to her earlier than his loss of life on February 14th, “Your Valentine,” as an indication of friendship. Due to the martyred sacrifice of this hero on February 14th, the day carries on as a day of friendship and little notes.

In an identical storyline, the second St. Valentine is a Bishop of Terni who carried out marriages in secret and was sentenced to pay the last word worth. He, too, was martyred on February 14th. With the 2 of those backstories each having matching dates, it’s clear why St. Valentine’s Day lands on the anniversary of their noble sacrifices annually.

St Valentine of Rome

Photograph credit score: ©Wikimedia Commons/public area

Why Ought to We Train Youngsters about This?

Each backstories mix to make Valentine’s Day an essential day. They maintain a young and never essentially storybook ending to share with kids, however a lot may be discovered. Youngsters and adults alike may be inspired that love, in lots of varieties, is a present, and we will categorical love and kindness and struggle for what is correct it doesn’t matter what day of the 12 months.

When somebody understands extra of the explanation behind a convention, it’s typically acquired with deeper appreciation. Particularly for youngsters, instructing them that Valentine’s notes may be in direction of mates, and never simply somebody of romantic curiosity, will encourage them to supply love to 1 one other. This may additionally shift the narrative in direction of making it a degree to wish for each other, simply as Valentine prayed for the jailer’s daughter.

Make it a degree to spotlight the ability of prayer within the story, for the God who healed within the Bible remains to be within the enterprise of therapeutic right now, and prayer holds magnificent energy. This may be an exquisite technique to educate a baby that their prayers matter to God and that He extremely values them. In Matthew 19:14, we are reminded of Jesus inviting the little ones to take a seat with him, “However Jesus stated, ‘Let the little kids come to me and don’t hinder them, for to such belongs the dominion of heaven.’”

This light second reveals His coronary heart for the youth, and it serves as a reminder to us now that we should encourage them to return earlier than Him. Utilizing this vacation to convey the ability of prayer will assist your youngster see that prayer will not be make-believe; it could possibly affect these round them.

Past Make Consider

Though Valentine’s Day doesn’t have a Santa Claus-like determine, it nonetheless can lean in direction of features of fake greater than what’s actual, lovely, and true. Youngsters are very malleable, and what you educate them early on usually will likely be one thing that roots itself and sticks with them all through their lives. As Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, “Prepare up a baby in the way in which he ought to go; even when he’s previous, he is not going to depart from it.” On this line of considering we will try to assist kids maintain agency to the truths of this life over what is fantasy.

Providing historic views, highlighting how God can heal and reply to prayer, and why celebrating heroes is one thing a baby will take with her or him into their grownup life. There may be additionally one thing fascinating about a teen trying previous the commercialism of a vacation and seeing that they will change another person’s day with an act of thoughtfulness, particularly in the event that they invite God into the state of affairs. We now have the chance right here to ask the Lord to guide kids to ask Him the best way to categorical His love in direction of others, not simply on holidays, however on daily basis.

Seeking to Christ

There may be additionally the prospect to level again to the day of sacrificial love by Christ, who died for our sins. John 15:13 reminds us that “Larger love has nobody than this, that an individual will lay down his life for his mates.”

Christ did this within the highest type on the cross, and we will use the story of sacrifice for others from each St. Valentine’s as a technique to level again to the Lord. Within the verse in John, the phrase for love is the Greek phrase “agape,” which is usually used to convey, “Agape love, typically thought-about the very best type of love, embodies selflessness, sacrifice, and unconditional take care of others. This profound idea, rooted in historical philosophical and spiritual traditions, transcends mere emotions, emphasizing actions and dedication.” (Roat, 1)

We see the Lord perform this agape type of love time and again, and on a day that celebrates love, there is no such thing as a higher time to remind kids and adults alike what real love actually is: the love of God to us.

As a substitute of constructing Valentine’s Day one other day crammed with sugary treats and superficial commercialilsm, invite God into the story. Ask Him that can assist you know the way to particularly body on your youngster, your buddy’s kids, or these round you a singular technique to level the event again to its roots and/or in the end level the story again to Christ Himself. You might simply discover that you’re beginning a brand new custom that will likely be beloved and cherished for years to return. Valentine’s Day may be once we rejoice love within the highest type, the agape love of Christ.

Cally Logan is an creator and US Historical past instructor from Richmond, Virginia. Her works have been featured on “The 700 Membership Interactive,” “Jesus Calling Weblog,” and “Espresso and Bible Time,” amongst a number of notable retailers. She served as a mentor for younger girls for a number of years and enjoys difficult girls to develop deeper relationships with God and to dwell fearlessly and authentically. She acquired her B.A. Diploma from Regent College. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time in nature, having real chats over espresso, and woodworking. Her new guide, The Wallflower That Bloomed, is offered all over the place now. Join with Cally: @CallyLogan Instagram CallyLogan.com

Initially revealed January 24, 2025.