What is the origin of Mother's Day?

Historical and Cultural Background

Mother’s Day in its contemporary form traces its beginnings to the early twentieth century. In 1907, Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her own mother at St. Andrew’s Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia. Within a few years, the concept took hold, and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially declared the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day in the United States.

However, well before this specific holiday developed, various cultures had recognized days to honor mothers and motherhood. In the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, a tradition known as “Mothering Sunday” dates back centuries. Observed originally on the fourth Sunday of Lent, “Mothering Sunday” was a time when people returned to their “mother church,” and gradually it became associated with honoring one’s own mother. Though Mother’s Day as universally celebrated today is modern, its roots can be seen in these ongoing traditions of showing gratitude and respect for mothers.

Biblical Foundations and Honoring Mothers

Scripture repeatedly affirms the value of honoring parents, and this provides a timeless principle that undergirds the modern holiday. When God established the Ten Commandments, He specifically instructed:

“Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)

Likewise, the apostle Paul reiterates the same command in the New Testament:

“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise). (Ephesians 6:2)

From Genesis onward, mothers hold places of high esteem. Eve is recognized as “the mother of all the living” (Genesis 3:20). Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and many other women in the Old Testament carry forth pivotal roles in God’s redemptive plan through motherhood. Hannah’s heartfelt prayer and commitment (1 Samuel 1) exemplify the deep spirituality that biblical mothers modeled.

In the New Testament, Mary’s relationship to Jesus (Luke 1–2) illustrates the reverence shown toward a mother entrusted with raising a child under God’s direction. Although there is no direct biblical command to formalize an annual day for mothers, the principle of honoring one’s mother resonates throughout Scripture, pointing to the significance of celebrating, appreciating, and showing kindness to mothers for their nurturing role.

Spiritual Significance and Christian Tradition

Early Christian communities frequently emphasized caring for widows and mothers, reflecting the broader scriptural directive to show Christlike love (James 1:27). As the church grew, it strengthened practices of hospitality and devotion, including special observances that recognized the nurturing roles of women in families and congregations.

Over the course of church history, various feasts and liturgical traditions grew to emphasize respect for both spiritual and biological motherhood. “Mothering Sunday” in England, for instance, combined returning to the “mother church” with honoring one’s own mother. This tradition overlaps with the biblical focus on parental honor, offering a heritage from which modern Mother’s Day eventually developed.

Modern Establishment of Mother’s Day

Anna Jarvis’s initiative in 1907 to honor her mother sparked widespread public interest. The idea resonated with believers and non-believers alike, who valued a special day to express gratitude for maternal sacrifices. In 1914, the official declaration by President Woodrow Wilson recognized Mother’s Day nationally in the United States. Other countries followed suit or adapted their own versions of a Mother’s Day celebration on different dates.

Jarvis originally intended Mother’s Day as a personal celebration of the immeasurable contribution of mothers, inspired by the biblical pattern of honor and appreciation. Though commercial elements later arose around the holiday, at its core, the day still reflects a culturally shared intent to uplift the role of motherhood.

Honoring Mothers in Light of Scripture

1. Spiritual Dedication: Christian mothers, following examples like Hannah (1 Samuel 1), often dedicate their children to God’s guidance. Emulating that dedication aligns with a Christ-centered perspective that recognizes mothers as primary nurturers in the faith.

2. Respect and Gratitude: As instructed in Exodus 20:12 and reaffirmed in Ephesians 6:2, giving honor to mothers is not optional but part of a believer’s obedience to the Lord.

3. Extended Family Care: Scripture frequently speaks of the extended family’s responsibility to care for older relatives, especially mothers (1 Timothy 5:4). This principle is lived out by many believers who use Mother’s Day to reaffirm or renew supportive actions for those who raised them.

4. Spiritual Motherhood: Beyond biological motherhood, the Bible provides space for the concept of spiritual mothering—women who mentor, guide, and disciple younger believers (Titus 2:3–5). Acknowledging these spiritual mothers can also form part of the broader Mother’s Day appreciation.

Practical Observances

Most commonly, people celebrate Mother’s Day by expressing thanks, sending greeting cards, giving flowers, or gathering at church to pray for mothers. Some congregations set aside time to highlight maternal roles in building up children’s faith. Others use the day to reaffirm Scriptural truths about the value of nurturing, teaching, and sustaining family bonds.

Conclusion

Mother’s Day, as recognized in many nations, originated in the early twentieth century through the work of Anna Jarvis in the United States, building on older European traditions like Mothering Sunday. While not a biblical institution in the strict sense, Mother’s Day naturally echoes the scriptural theme of honoring mothers. Far from being an innovation detached from biblical principles, it reflects the consistent thread within Scripture urging gratitude, love, and respect for those who bear and raise children. It also opens opportunities to acknowledge spiritual mothers who guide and mentor the next generation in the faith. Encouraging such recognition aligns fully with the mandates of Scripture, which regard the mother’s role as vital, praiseworthy, and worthy of special honor.

By focusing on genuine appreciation and gratitude, Mother’s Day can remind believers and non-believers alike of the timeless call to honor, care for, and uplift mothers—an instruction woven persistently through Scripture and embodied in Christian practice across generations.