They say you should never give your wife a gift that has a cord and a plug. I understand. That’s why I’m getting my wife a cordless vacuum cleaner for Valentine’s Day. Just kidding! Just kidding!

Even though the holiday is named after an early Christian saint, it is celebrated in a secular manner; it is especially enjoyed by florists, candy makers and greeting card companies. We’re not really sure about the origins of the holiday, since there were several St. Valentines each with a couple of associated stories. The one I feel best fits the way we think of St. Valentine’s Day is associated to a Christian Priest who lived in the third century during the time of the Roman Emperor Claudius. Recruitments into the Roman Army were down, and it was thought that one reason was that young men were reluctant to leave their families and serve the Army, potentially in foreign lands. In response, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements. Valentine felt that Christian marriage was important and secretly performed marriage ceremonies. He was discovered and executed.

Despite its commercial aspects, it is good to have a day devoted commemorating our love for our spouses and other loved ones. The Bible, in a manner befitting Valentine’s Day, even records Jacob’s love for Rachel: “So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.” Using the holiday to remember our love for others is also good and is in keeping with 1 John 4:7 which says, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” Finally, let us use the day in a third way, to remember that God loves me and YOU unconditionally.

Jim