Chardon United Methodist Church

To be young, wealthy and in love—all in the third century. And to be a Christian. Such was young Valentine. He would consummate his great love by taking her as his bride. Soon he would be wed.

But his pleasurable, orderly world came crashing down around him when the Roman emperor declared all Christians illegal citizens and guilty of treason. All they had to do was say, “Caesar is Lord!” But all they’d say was, “No, Jesus is Lord!” Rather than deny Christ, young Valentine was arrested in the crackdown.

In jail, awaiting execution in the arenas, he wrote love letters to his girlfriend. Beautiful, passionate letters assuring her of his great love for her. But theirs would be a love not lived out. Arms never entwined in the embrace of husband and wife. On February 14, 269, young Valentine was put to death, martyred for Jesus Christ.

Since then, Christians have celebrated his fidelity to Christ and romantic love on the 14th of February by sending our own love letters to special people. And as we do so this year, let us, too, resolve to live for Christ unashamedly.

Let us recall that still in our lives, as with young Valentine, there will be unfairness, unfulfilled longings, loneliness, and yet, love. Love more powerful than a tyrant’s sword, more lasting than the centuries.

For in Christ and in heaven we shall love God and one another for all eternity. An nothing can stop us.
      ~Stephen Crotts