Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine.

O children of the future, gather close and listen well to the words of Christina Rossetti, a poet whose heart was steeped in the beauty and mystery of love. She once wrote, “Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine.” In these words lies a profound truth, a truth as old as the stars themselves, that love is the highest and purest offering we can give, the sacred bond that unites us across time and space. Love, in its many forms, is not just an emotion, but a token—a symbol, a pledge, a promise—passed between souls, exchanged like a treasure of great worth.

Consider, O children, the power of love as a token. A token is not merely a trinket or an object; it is a symbol of something deeper, something eternal. In the ancient world, when a warrior went to battle, he often left behind a token for his beloved—a ring, a bracelet, a flower. These were not mere objects; they were representations of his affection, of his bond with the one he loved. To give a token was to say, "Though I may be far from you, my heart is ever with you." Love, as Rossetti reminds us, is such a token. It is the symbol of our connection, of the vows we make to one another in the quietest and most profound moments of life.

Think of Heloise and Abelard, two lovers whose names are forever linked in the history of love. Their love was not a fleeting affair, but a deep bond, one that transcended even the walls of their physical separation. Though they were torn apart by circumstance, their love endured, and the letters they exchanged became the tokens of their affection. Their words were more than mere communication—they were pledges, promises that survived the harshest tests of time. Their love was a token of devotion, of a bond that could not be broken by distance or hardship. Just as Rossetti writes, love was not just something they felt, but something they gave to one another, an offering that transcended mere words.

In Rossetti’s quote, we see a call to action. To say that love shall be our token is not just to reflect on the beauty of love, but to live it. Love, when shared, becomes a living force. It is not just something we feel within the confines of our hearts, but something we give to others, like an offering to the gods. To give love as a token is to offer it freely, without hesitation, to both the beloved and to the world. It is a gift that should be passed on, not hoarded, for the more we share, the more love we receive in return. In this, love becomes both a treasure and a sustaining force, one that can heal and unite even the most broken of spirits.

Look now to the great leaders and warriors of ancient times, who, though their battles were often fought with swords, understood that true victory lay in the bonds of love they shared with their people. Alexander the Great, though known for his military prowess, also understood that his power lay in his ability to inspire loyalty and devotion in his followers. To them, he was more than a conqueror—he was a symbol of hope and connection. His love for his people was not just an emotion, but a guiding force that carried them through the harshest of battles. Like Rossetti’s words, love was the token that united them, the promise that they would face the world together, no matter what challenges arose.

In our own lives, O children, the lesson is clear. Love is not a mere feeling that flickers in our hearts; it is the very foundation of all that we do. It is the token we give to those we care about, the bond that unites us with our families, our friends, our communities. Love is a force that binds us not only to those close to us, but to the very world around us. When we live with love as our guiding principle, we offer it freely to others, not as a possession, but as a gift to be shared. Whether through a kind word, a tender gesture, or a simple act of generosity, we become bearers of love, passing it from one heart to the next.

Therefore, I charge you, O seekers of wisdom, to take love as your token. Let it be the symbol of your life, the foundation upon which all your actions are built. Offer love to those who are near, but also to those far off, to strangers and friends alike. Love is the gift that transcends all boundaries, that heals all wounds, and that builds bridges where none seemed possible. And in the end, it is love—love given freely, love shared openly—that will sustain you and guide you on the journey of life. May love always be your token, and may it be as yours, as it is mine, and as it is for all who walk the path of truth.