Celestial Diary

February 14th has come and gone, a day eagerly anticipated by those in relationships yet dreaded by many singles. The color red dominates the scenery, and chocolates take on special shapes and sizes.

What gifts did you receive? But more importantly, what gifts did you give? Did you only think of your significant other, or did you extend love to multiple people?

For me, it was just another Wednesday filled with deadlines and meetings. However, scrolling through social media and seeing couples everywhere made me ponder why we exclusively focus on romantic love.

After all there is more than one way to love someone!

Storge

This is ”familial love” or ”affectionate love”. It refers to the natural affection and bond that exists between family members, such as parents and children, siblings, or relatives. Storge love is characterized by feelings of warmth, familiarity, loyalty and attachment that develop over time through shared experiences, care, and support within the family unit. Unlike romantic love or friendship love, storge love is typically unconditional and enduring, rooted in the sense of belonging and connection within the family structure.

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another

Philia

Philia is a type of love often referred to as “brotherly love” or “friendship love.” It has to do with feelings of affection, loyalty, and camaraderie between friends or individuals who share mutual respect and common interests. Philia is characterized by companionship, trust, and the willingness to support and care for one another, often based on shared experiences and values. Unlike romantic or familial love, philia is rooted in friendship and the bonds formed through genuine connections and shared activities rather than romantic or blood ties. This is a higher level of love because you willingly choose who you wish to associate with. It isn’t a love forced upon us through blood bonds or hormones but is an intentional type of love.

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous

Eros

This is the romantic or passionate love, characterized by physical attraction, intimacy, desire, and emotional connection typically found in romantic relationships between two individuals.
It is driven by strong emotions and intense feelings of longing, infatuation, and arousal. Eros love is typically focused on the individual’s own pleasure and satisfaction, as well as the physical and emotional connection with the beloved but it is more than just the sexual aspect of romance. This means eros is more likely to be more self-centered and dependent on mutual attraction and compatibility.

Ephesians 5:31 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.

Agape

This is an unconditional love, characterized by selflessness and sacrificial actions for the well-being of others.
It is a selfless and sacrificial type of love that is focused on the well-being and benefit of others without expecting anything in return. It transcends circumstances and is not dependent on the actions or qualities of the recipient. In Christian theology, agape is considered the highest form of love and is exemplified by God’s love for humanity, as described in the Bible. It involves acts of kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and generosity toward others, regardless of their deservingness or reciprocation.

Romans 5:8  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Valentine

The history of Saint Valentine is shrouded in legend, and there are various accounts of who he was and what he did. One common belief is that Saint Valentine was a priest in Rome during the third century AD. At that time, Emperor Claudius II had banned marriage for young men because he believed that single men made better soldiers. Saint Valentine defied this decree and continued to perform marriages for young couples in secret.

Another legend suggests that Saint Valentine was imprisoned for helping Christians who were being persecuted by the Romans. During his imprisonment, he reportedly healed the jailer’s daughter and sent her a letter signed “Your Valentine” before his execution on February 14th.

Saint Valentine could have been multiple people, where some believed he was from Terni and others believed he was from Rome. However, because history and legend are mixed together, it’s hard to know for sure.

Over time, Saint Valentine became associated with love and romance, and February 14th became celebrated as Valentine’s Day. However, the historical details of his life remain unclear, and much of what is known about him comes from folklore and legends rather than historical records.

Should we celebrate Valentine’s Day, given its focus on eros rather than agape love? Despite this concern, I believe there’s merit in celebrating this day.

Consider other celebrations like birthdays, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and anniversaries. These occasions lack direct scriptural endorsement or divine commandment, yet we mark them without objection. In this light, celebrating love on Valentine’s Day seems reasonable.

However, the danger lies in commercializing the holiday to the point where its true meaning is diluted. Love should be a daily celebration; we should appreciate our family, friends, and loved ones regularly, not just on a designated day.

Let’s move beyond traditional gifts like chocolates and flowers, which are often endorsed by commercial interests and focus on conveying intentional messages of love and appreciation. Love shouldn’t be limited to one expression; we should also remember our family, friends, or even church members on such a day. If you have a single friend, write them a note or call them and ask about their day. If you know a church member who has no family in the country, don’t hesitate to take them out to dinner. Love comes in different forms, and each one requires its own effort.

I personally believe deliberately choosing to not celebrate loved ones on Valentine’s Day is like forgetting someone’s birthday. As Christians, let’s not use our faith as an excuse to miss out on opportunities to show love and appreciation to those around us.

Show love to those around you before it’s too late!

Stay Blessed x