The history of Valentine?s Day dates back all the way to approximately 250 year after the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom where martyred. One of those Valentine saints was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. This was during Emperor Claudius II reign. He was committed to rebuilding the once great Roman Army and believed it was important for men to volunteer for armed service, rather than drafting men. It turned out young men did not freely sign up to serve and since determined that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. This gave the Emperor the nickname ?Claudius the Cruel.? It is told that saint Valentine?s favorite duties as a priest was to marry people. So after the Emperor passed this law, Valentine secretly continued performing marriage ceremonies in secret. It wasn?t long until he was caught and thrown into jail and sentenced to death. Many people came and visited him, throwing flowers and notes into his jail cell. Upon his last day, he wrote a note to a daughter of one of the prison guards, thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. He signed it, ?Love from your Valentine.? That custom started the exchange of love notes on Valentine?s Day. It is written that he passed on February 14, 269 A.D. A day that was set aside in honor of a man who gave his life for God and for love.
Valentine?s Day is a day where we show the people in our lives how much they mean to us. We want to celebrate the ones that we love, and we want them to know that they are appreciated, adored, and cherished. Who doesn?t want to hear that they are loved? 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says, ?Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.?
The word love can mean many different things from the love you have for your spouse (Eros), the love you have for a brother (Philia), and the love of sacrificial or unconditional love (Agape). Agape love is the love that Jesus modeled and taught about, and it actually requires us to let go of expecting anything at all in return. ?We love because He first loved us.?
When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was this was his response: ?Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your Godwith all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is noother commandment greater than these.? (Matt 22: 35-40) But what does that actually look like and how can we truly show others that they are loved? First is to ask yourself how would I want to be treated, and then do that for others.
It?s easy for us to lose sight of what God calls us to do on a daily basis. He calls us to love regardless of what happens in life. It?s so easy to get caught up in the business of life that we sometimes forget what God wants us to do. It?s important to take a step back and remember that love is the greatest commandment of all!
We love because He first loved us. Demonstrate His love by showing others around you kindness, patience, truth, and hope. This Valentine’s Day, remind yourself to always be kind and to choose love. Let?s not lose sight of the power of letting others know how much they are loved. Realize that love always has the victory, regardless of what we expect, believe or think. Staying focus on love will ensure that we see victory. Because love, which is the power of God, is the most powerful force in all creation.
Hopefully that encouraged you! We here at Mary & Martha want to help you love others this Valentine?s Day with beautiful products that have a great message as well! Giving a gift with a reminder of His love may be just the thing your loved ones needs!
1. Pitchers
Who doesn?t love a beautiful pitcher filled with their favorite flowers? Give the perfect Valentine?s Day gift by filling one of these pitchers with roses, peonies, or daisies for a mother, sister, daughter, or teacher!
We can?t get enough of these popular products!
2. Love & Joy or Kindness & Goodness Bowl
These bowls remind us of what Valentine?s Day is all about. Share the love by giving one of these vintage inspired bowls filled with wrapped candies for a darling gift! These bowls will give a beautiful touch to every home. You can even make a ?Valentine?s Day Gift Bowl? by filling one of these up with chocolates, cake mix, icing, and more! Pair it with our Praise Tea Towel for the perfect look!
3. Mugs
Know a coffee lover? These mugs make the BEST gifts. Each of our mugs are each inscribed with a sweet reminder. Fill up your mug of choice with chocolates, heart candies, hot cocoa mix, mints, or even small roses! Use confetti as a filler and top it off with a red ribbon! Voila!
4. Small Glass Lantern
We adore our glass lanterns because they are so versatile and leave us room to get creative! For a great Valentine?s Day gift, use a pink candle in the candle holder and fill the bottom with pink flower petals or rocks. Top it off by tying a thick, pink ribbon around the top of the lantern. You can also use it as a vase to fill with pretty flowers, chocolates, or candies! Have you ever seen these lanterns filled with flower stems and string lights? AMAZING! Still need more ideas? Try filling it up with hand-written love notes for your Valentine to read!
5. Chosen & Loved Pennant
Do you know someone that has just adopted? This pennant is a great gift for daughters! Give this pennant as a reminder to someone to let them know that they are chosen and loved.
6. Love Pouch
This trendy bag is the perfect gift for anyone! Fill it with small gifts like candy, chocolates, pink nail polish, lip gloss, perfume, jewelry, and makeup for an amazing Valentine?s Day gift! Just want to give the bag? That?s fine, too! Fill it with pink tissue paper and tie a bow around the front for a gift any women would LOVE!
7. Trinket Dishes
I think we can all agree that a woman can never have too much jewelry! That?s why our trinket dishes inscribed with an inspiring message would make amazing Valentine?s Day gifts!
8. Proverbs 31 Woman Fabric Letter
Women are strong, women are special, and women are loved. Give this sweet reminder to an amazing woman in your life so she can be reminded of this truth. Insert it into the Glad We’re Friends Card for a fun surprise or simply tie it with a pretty ribbon for a precious gift that will last a lifetime!
9. You?re Already Amazing Book by Holley Gerth
Let Mary & Martha help you say just the right thing this Valentine’s Day with the “You’re Already Amazing” book by Holley Gerth! Encouragement, love, and devotions on each page makes these books a great Valentine?s Day gift for a friend, mom, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, teacher, or you!
10. Think On These Things Collection
This beautiful set is hand lettered with a sweet message on each piece. Buy the tea towels, mugs (set of 2), and plates (set of 4) for a unique and inexpensive gift. Pair them up by using a tea towel to wrap up the matching mug and plate. Simply beautiful!
11. Wooden Cake Toppers
Do you love to bake? These trendy cake toppers never fail to make an impression! Try baking a cake, pie, brownies, or cupcakes and topping it off with one of our wooden cake toppers for an unbeatable Valentine?s Day gift!
Thanks for looking through the Mary & Martha Valentine’s Day Gift Guide! If you want to purchase one of these fun gifts, then don?t forget to contact your Consultant!