Dear Friends,
By the time you read this the Christmas decorations and fairy lights will be carefully packed away and the nights a little lighter. Although the bright colours and sparkles may have been neatly boxed up until next Christmas, I am sure by now you will have seen some of God’s handiwork and colour in snowdrops, aconites, viburnum and perhaps even early daffodils.
Something else that glows with colour at this time of year are the greeting card stands in shops. We are encouraged in February to buy a card ‘to the one I love’ or something along those lines. For some people this is an absolute joy for others it couldn’t be further from the reality of their life, for still others they feel fairly neutral about it. Wherever you are on the scale of celebrating or happily consigning Valentine’s Day to Room 101 it does give us something to ponder.
It is difficult to pinpoint one St Valentine. According to the catholic church there could be up to three St Valentines! Unfortunately as historical records are sparse we cannot know for sure. However, the best that we do know is that each one met a grisly end because of their devotion to God and love for their neighbour. They were persecuted and killed for their Christian faith. Loving God and loving their neighbour.
Valentine’s Day is now pretty much secular, and far removed from its roots. It has turned into a celebration of romantic love and wining and dining your partner. Now I’m all for celebrating romantic love – it’s a gift and something to be treasured for sure. However it’s not the only type of love.
You may have read (or heard about) a book written by CS Lewis called The Four Loves. In it he describes four different kinds of love that we are capable of feeling, depending on the situations and relationships involved. He describes the forms of love as:
Storge – Familial Affection (care that exists within families, close friendships or companions). Built on familiarity, it is devotion and intimacy that develops over time.
Phileo – Love that describes generosity and warmth within a relationship; this can also be used to describe a common bond built upon shared beliefs, values or interests.
Eros – passionate love. Healthy, sensual love between partners in which romance and attraction play a part. Another gift from God.
Agape – Charity. Possibly the highest and most complete form of affection. God’s love for us is the foundation for this love. It is strong, selfless and sacrificial and one that Jesus lived out during his earthly ministry. The early church used this word to describe a meal that they held regularly that the poor were invited to. It is all about giving.
So if we look at love through different lenses this February, I wonder what we might be able to bring to the world around us?
With every blessing,
Revd Jo