Happy St David’s Day!

It was on this day in the year 589 AD that Bishop David died; he was canonised in the year 1120 AD. He became known as the patron saint of Wales in the 12th Century, during the time of fierce Welsh resistance to the invading Normans.  His shrine can be visited at the Cathedral dedicated to him in Pembrokeshire, and which is built on the site of a Celtic monastic community that he established, Glyn Rhosyn, meaning The Vale of Roses. He was born to an aristocratic family in Caerfai, Pembrokshire, and studied theology under St Paulinus in Cardigan, eventually being consecrated Bishop.  His devout Christian life was an example to all, and he went on to found some twelve monasteries, encouraging his monastic followers to lead simple lives of quiet devotion and labour.

He is recorded to have included this encouraging exhortation in one of his last sermons; “Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed. Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about. I will walk the path that our fathers have trod before us.”   The expression “Do the little things” went on to become a well-known inspirational saying, and is still very much in use in Wales today.

Our troubled world is most definitely in need of more peace, more love and more understanding. More light in the darkness. More compassion. More patience. More kindness.  More standing up to evil. More helping the helpless and disenfranchised. More helping those on the margins of society, who are so often overlooked and ignored.

Love is everything……

Valentine, the priest after whom Valentine’s Day is named, was martyred for his belief and commitment to the institution of marriage.

The emperor of Rome during Valentine’s life, Claudius II, passed a law banning marriages for the young.  His reason was simple: men would not volunteer to join the Roman army if they were married, and had children. Valentine kept on officiating at marriage services – but in secret.  He would whisper the words of the ceremony, while listening for soldiers on the steps outside his church.

One night, he did indeed hear footsteps.  The couple whom he was marrying escaped, but he was caught, arrested, and thrown into prison. He was sentenced to death.

Valentine remained cheerful whilst in prison and many people came to visit him.  He even continued to perform marriage ceremonies whilst in prison. He also converted the jailer to Christianity. The jailer’s daughter would often visit Valentine in his cell and they became friends.

On the day Valentine was to be executed, he left this girl a note, thanking her for her friendship and loyalty.  He signed it, “With love from your Valentine”.  That note, written on the day Valentine died –  February 14th, 270 AD – started the custom of exchanging love notes on St. Valentine’s Day. He was martyred on the eve of the important Roman festival of  Lupercalia. It is possible that Valentine’s execution formed part of a series of entertainment activities for the Romans, along with the persecution and punishment of Christians for evangelising Roman citizens, thus drawing them to Jesus Christ and away from the Roman gods of Janus, Saturnis and Solarus.

Valentine was a man of great courage.  The theologian Karl Barth wrote: “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” So whether you are young, old, married or single, may you know that you are loved and appreciated and cared for, wherever you are in this big old world.

“For God so loVed the world, 
…….That He gAve 
………..His onLy 
………..BegottEn 
…………….SoN 
………………..That whosever 
…….Believeth In Him 
……….Should Not perish, 
…….But have Everlasting life.” 
John 3:16

May 2017 be a happy and fulfilling year ahead for you, and for all of your loved ones. Best wishes from everyone at Little Room.

We have a new festive addition to The LR Library!

Go to the LR Library page for more details, or click the image. This will take you through to all of the LR Library albums, which are hosted on the Auralation site.