Two days ago on February 14, 2024, we celebrated both Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday on the same day. In an article titled, “Ash Wednesday, Valentine’s Day in rare meeting,” published back on Feb. 6, 2018 in The Fayetteville Observer (which was the last year that Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday were both on the same day until now–2024), the meeting of the two events on the same day is not common. The article states:
The date of Ash Wednesday changes based on the date of Easter. Each year, Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox.
Live Wire’s research, through timeanddate.com, indicates Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day are sharing the same date for the first time [back in 2018 when this article was published] since 1945. It happened two other times in the last century—1923 and 1934. It will happen again in 2024 [which is this year] and 2029, but that will be it for this century. (Quote source here.)
While we tend to think that they are opposing types of celebrations–one focused on love, chocolates, and flowers, and the other focused on lament and ashes–the actual history behind Valentine’s Day is quite different from what we think about when celebrating Valentine’s Day today. In an article published in EWTN–Great Britain titled, “Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday Collide: When Cupid Meets Lent,” there is a quote in the article that states:
Valentine’s Day is not, as you may be pardoned for thinking, a Hallmark holiday aimed at consumers with disposable incomes and romantic hearts. It’s a holy day, in which we remember Bishop Valentine, martyred by Emperor Claudius in the third century for marrying young lovers in secret. You see, the emperor needed soldiers for his army and had banned marriages to keep the young men single and available for cannon fodder. St. Valentine gave his head for young lovers. And this year, you may see a couple in Miami both wearing their ash crosses and sipping at a tiny glass of wine in some quiet corner. That will be my husband and I, celebrating our love and also being heartily sorry for our sins. —Grazie Christie, host of TCA’s Conversations With Consequences on EWTN Radio (quote source here).
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the season of Lent leading up to Easter. In an article titled, “Understanding Lent,” published on Reasons.org, the author (name is not mentioned in the article) states:
When you think about it historically, Easter resides at the heart of all branches of Christendom; Lent is this period between Ash Wednesday and Easter. It commemorates Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness and serves as a time of anticipation and preparation. It’s a time to think about the investment God made in salvation, the weightiness of it all. We think also about our sins and the need for repentance as well as the luxuries we have and what we can do without. Lent is especially highlighted during Holy Week—from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.
Ash Wednesday is a time to recognize that we are more sinful than we really know and to anticipate the forgiveness in Christ that came through His death and resurrection. Palm Sunday marks Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem where, less than a week later, he would be crucified. Maundy Thursday recalls the last supper and Christ’s agony. Good Friday is the most solemn day, the day Christ died for our sins. And then we have the great celebration of Easter.
They’re powerful days to think about the Gospel. I see them as having a real biblical basis. As for verses we might point to in support of Ash Wednesday, I think there’s a strong emphasis on a time of repentance. But specific verses? That might be doubtful. It might be more general than specific, such as with the lighting of the candles and special Scripture readings and hymns during the Advent season. (Quote source here.)
In another article titled “What Is Lent About, and Why Is It Important?” published on Cru.org (author’s name is not mentioned), it states:
Have you ever wondered what people are talking about when they say they’re giving something up for Lent? Do you want to understand what Lent is and how it relates to Easter?
Lent is the 40 days (not including Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Easter. Lent is often described as a time of preparation and an opportunity to go deeper with God. This means that it’s a time for personal reflection that prepares people’s hearts and minds for Good Friday and Easter.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. You may have noticed people with a smudged, black cross on their foreheads. Those are ashes from the Ash Wednesday service. The ashes symbolize our grief for the things we’ve done wrong and the resulting division of imperfect people from a perfect God….
The three main things people focus on during Lent are prayer, fasting (abstaining from something to reduce distractions and focus more on God), and giving, or charity.
Prayer during Lent focuses on our need for God’s forgiveness. It’s also about repenting (turning away from our sins) and receiving God’s mercy and love.
Fasting, or giving something up, is a very common practice during Lent. The idea is that giving up something that’s a regular part of life, like eating dessert or scrolling through Facebook, can be a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice. That time can also be replaced with more time connecting with God.
Giving money or doing something good for others is a way to respond to God’s grace, generosity and love. For example, some people spend time volunteering or donate money they would normally use to buy something, like their morning coffee.
It’s important to note that doing these things can never make us earn or deserve Jesus’ sacrifice or a relationship with God. People are flawed and will never be good enough for a perfect God. Only Jesus has the power to rescue us from ourselves.
Jesus sacrificed Himself on Good Friday to bear the punishment for all our wrongdoings and offer us forgiveness. He was raised from the dead on Easter Sunday to give us an opportunity to have a relationship with God for eternity.
Spending time during Lent praying, fasting and giving can make Jesus’ sacrifice on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter even more meaningful.
Interested in learning more about Lent? Do you want to observe it but need guidance? Check out Cru’s free Lent devotional. Each day of Lent, the devotional will help you reflect and pray as you look forward to Easter. (Quote source here.)
While searching for information on the meaning of Lent on Microsoft Edge, Bing provided the following information:
When I think about Lent, several thoughts come to mind:
- Spiritual Preparation: Lent is a solemn Christian observance that spans 40 days, symbolizing the period Jesus spent fasting in the desert, resisting temptation by Satan before beginning his public ministry1. It’s a time of spiritual preparation leading up to the joyous celebration of Easter.
- Fasting and Abstinence: During Lent, believers often engage in practices such as fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. Many choose to give up certain luxuries or indulgences as a form of self-discipline and reflection.
- Ash Wednesday: Lent commences on Ash Wednesday, marked by the imposition of ashes on the foreheads of the faithful. This ritual serves as a reminder of human mortality and the need for repentance.
- Lengthening Days: The word “Lent” itself comes from the Old English term “lencten,” which means “lengthen”. It’s observed during spring when the days gradually grow longer23.
- Bright Sadness: In Eastern Orthodox circles, Lent is often referred to as the season of “bright sadness” (Greek: χαρμολύπη, charmolypê). It combines penitence with hope, recognizing that the sorrow of Lent ultimately leads to the joy of Christ’s resurrection1.
In summary, Lent invites believers to reflect, repent, and draw closer to their faith, anticipating the renewal and hope of Easter. (Quote source: Bing Chat. Microsoft; 2024. Accessed February 16, 2024.)
The next time Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday will arrive on the same day will be in 2029, and that will also be the last time for them to arrive on the same day for this century. Valentine’s Day is celebrated as a day of love, and the greatest love is God’s love for us. And God gave us Jesus, and as it is stated in John 3:16—For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son [Jesus Christ]…
That whoever believes in him . . .
Shall not perish . . .
But have eternal life . . . .
YouTube Video: “Lead Me To The Cross” (with lyrics) by Hillsong UNITED:
Sara's Musings 
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