In many countries of the world we celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May, but does God expect us to do this?
Each year we celebrate Mother’s Day to honor or recognize all the mothers in the world. Today this can take the form of honoring a biological mother, foster mother, stepmother, grandmother, mother-in-law or spiritual mother. How then did it all start?
Where does Mother’s Day originate from?
According to History, Mother’s Day celebration began with the ancient Greeks and Romans, as a celebration of Rhea and Cybele, the mothers of Greek mythology.
However, the early Christian festival is known as ‘Mothering Sunday’. At first, it was more about returning to one’s ‘mother church’ than about honoring one’s mother. People were given the day off to return to their birthplace and visit their families. On route they’d pick handfuls of wild flowers to decorate their church or to give to their mothers, hence the tradition started.
Today people celebrate Mother’s Day with a letter of appreciation or a card with a kind message, flowers, chocolates and by taking their mothers out for a special meal. For more about the history of Mother’s Day read: Honoring ‘The Woman Who Has Done More For You Than Anyone In The World’
Is Mother’s Day Biblical?
Though there is no account in the Scriptures that identify a specific celebration for mothers, however we do find that God commands us to honor our parents.
Both the Old Testament and the New Testament clearly indicate that we must honor and obey our mother and father if we want to live a long and happy life.
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 21:12)
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth’.” (Ephesians 6:1-3)
Honoring our parents is the only commandment with a promise. And if celebrating Mother’s Day means acknowledging them, then why not? It’s definitely not a pagan practice, it’s about expressing our gratitude towards the woman who bore us and there is nothing wrong with that.
After all, the Apostle Paul said, “whether you eat or drink do it all for the glory of God.” So whether we celebrate Mother’s Day or not, the most important thing to remember is to do all things for the glory of the one true God.
This Mother’s Day, show your mother some love!
Reference: HISTORY.COM EDITORS
Read also: Mother’s Day Weekend: A Living Portrait of Motherhood
