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