| Valentine's Day is right around the | | | | manufacturers to get Americans to buy |
| corner. We'll be celebrating it on | | | | more products. |
| February 14. Valentine's Day is a time | | | | It is clear that February has been |
| to celebrate God's love for us. | | | | linked with love from very ancient |
| Christian homeschool students should | | | | civilizations such as the Greeks and |
| reflect that perfect love in the love | | | | Romans. Fertility festivals such as |
| that they share with others. Many | | | | Lupercalia were celebrated during the |
| people practice the traditions of | | | | month of February. This continued |
| Valentine's Day while giving little | | | | through the Middle Ages, when our modern |
| thought to the background and traditions | | | | idea of chivalric and romantic love |
| of this storied holiday. Let's take a | | | | thrived. |
| closer look at the origins. | | | | Because the links between St. Valentine |
| The holiday is named after one of | | | | and our modern American holiday are so |
| several men who share the name and title | | | | unclear, many believe that Valentine's |
| St. Valentine. No one is quite sure why | | | | Day is simply an excuse for |
| St. Valentine is linked to the modern | | | | confectioners, florists, and greeting |
| holiday, but we have several theories. | | | | card manufacturers to guilt people into |
| The Roman Catholic Church celebrated his | | | | buying gifts for their loved ones. This |
| martyrdom with the Feast of Saint | | | | is partially true. A similar phenomenon |
| Valentine. It has been hypothesized | | | | occurred with the Christmas season. |
| that St. Valentine defied an official | | | | Many are unaware that Coca-Cola |
| decree in Ancient Rome by marrying | | | | Christmas advertising did much to shape |
| couples during wartime. This would | | | | our popular perception of Santa Clause. |
| explain his associate with romantic | | | | Greeting card companies and others have |
| love. Others believe that this is a | | | | done much the same with Cupid, little |
| fabrication used by greeting card | | | | pink and red hearts, and more. |