Let's Really Celebrate Valentine's Day

By James J Jackson
Valentine’s Day brings thoughts of love and kindness. People exchange greeting cards expressing their love for each other. Children exchange candy ‘kisses’ or heart-shaped candies with love note imprinted on them.
But, like many holidays, Valentine’s Day has become so commercial, that the true meaning is often lost. A recent email told of young children who were asked, “What is the meaning of ‘Love?’.
One five-year-old child answered, “When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.“ Another stated, “Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.'. An eight year old warned, “You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget“.Children seem to have a way of viewing complex issues in a very simplistic manner. Their explanations often include an element of truth and clarity that adults often lack. Many grown-ups have a hard time expressing what love means to them. Perhaps adults try so hard to sound profound and bright, that they lose the simplicity of love.
Many of us know the story of St. Valentine, who sent messages of love from prison to his friends and family, always closing with, “Remember your Valentine.” Valentine’s Day is a day to remember loved one’s. Valentine’s Day really should be celebrated every day, but, sadly, it is not.
God wants us to love everyone, including our enemies and strangers. Such love was demonstrated on a daily basis by my parents, who made it a point to show Christian love to others whenever possible. I witnessed my Uncle Dave giving money to homeless people to buy food. When told that the recipient would probably buy alcohol, my uncle would state, “That’s his choice, my job is to fill a need.”
My uncle was never a ‘gawker’ when he came upon an accident or emergency scene. He was always the first one out of his car to give aid and comfort. One time he was swindled out of a large sum of money by a person who lied about his need for money. I asked if he was sorry he had helped. He told me, “When I felt prompted to give, I gave up ownership of the money. If the man lied, he will one day have to answer for that, but, when I stand before God, I will know that I helped the poor, as He commanded me to do“
My Aunt Bessie would drive elderly neighbors to the grocery store, and often would pay for their groceries. Whenever she saw a need, she would extend a helping hand. My wife and I still practice her habit of keeping spare mittens and hats in the car to hand to children at bus stops.
I was taught to love others, even when they seemed un-lovable. I learned unconditional love by example, and extending a helping hand or just showing love and concern for others is automatic in my life. The greatest human example of unconditional love in my life was when my aunt and uncle gave up their idyllic life with their only child to bring into their home ten orphans, after my parents died. The only thing they ever asked in return was that we strive for excellence and be the best we could be.
The premiere example of such love is that Christ died on the cross to pay for the sins of the world, whether we love him or not. In His Word, He tells us, “A new command I give you: Love one another…”. If we all followed this command, every day would be Valentine’s Day.