It's February! Can you feel it? As they say, "Love is in the air." But why do they say that? Let me briefly share something with you about Valentine's Day and the expression: "Love is in the air."
February 14th is traditionally known as St. Valentine's Day, and commonly known as Valentine's Day. The "day of love" has been celebrated for hundreds of years similarly to today's exchange of heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, bouquets of flowers, gifts and cards that say "I love you." There are many conflicting thoughts about the exact origins of Valentine's Day and the date on which we celebrate it. One interesting fact is that "The British Library in London owns the oldest known Valentine, a letter written by Charles, the Duke of Orleans.. ;" Apparently the Duke was imprisoned at the time he wrote his love poem (valentine) to his beloved wife.
It wasn't until the 14th century and through the works of the great poet Chaucer that St.
Valentine's Day became eternally linked with love. As "The History of Valentine's Day" is described on The Holiday Spot: "UCLA medieval scholar Henry Ansgar Kelly, author of 'Chaucer and the Cult of Saint Valentine', credits Chaucer as the one who first linked St. Valentine's Day with romance. In medieval France and England it was believed that birds mated onFebruary 14.
Hence, Chaucer used the image of birds as the symbol of lovers in poems dedicated to the day.
In Chaucer's 'The parliament of Fowls,' the royal engagement, the mating season of birds, and St. Valentine's Day are related: 'For this was on St. Valentine's Day, When every fowl cometh there to choose his mate.'" Thus, you got it, "Love is in the air!"
I remember back in my elementary school days when we had to get a Valentine card for all the other students in our class. Now if you wanted to improve your position with the teacher you got her a special card and, maybe even some chocolate! If you had that special someone you wanted to get their attention you got them a box of candy conversation hearts with special messages like "Be Mine," "Baby Doll," "Sweetie Pie," "Cutie Pie," "Me & You," well, you get the idea. Did you know that the first love letter came long before anything ever was known as a "Valentine"?.
The first, greatest, and most amazing "Love Letter" ever written was given by God--we call it the Bible!!! And why wouldn't God write an amazing "Love Letter" to us, after all, He has called us by some pretty wonderful "pet names" or terms of affection: "The apple of His eye" (Psalm 17:8), "His treasured possession" (Deuteronomy 7:6); "His own special people" (Titus 2:14), "His friends" (John 15:15), "Beloved...children" (1 John 3:1-2), well, I could go on and on, but you get the idea! You and I are the special treasure that is the apple of God's eye and He loves to tell us that. He loves to dote on us. He loves to let us know just how special we are to Him. As the old saying goes, "If God has a refrigerator in Heaven, He has your picture on it."
What a great time of the year to remember and take to heart those earthly folks and relationships which are so special to us. But it is also a great time to remember and to take to heart the most special relationship of all, the one we have with the God of all the creation who loves us and holds us so dear. Let us also remember to send Him our love in return!!!
In His Loving Service, Vernon