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