As followers of Christ, we need to understand the origins of various holidays and traditions that this society celebrates. Many holidays have pagan roots and disguise themselves as “Christian” holidays! Let’s examine Mother’s Day.

The celebration of Mother’s Day, as we know it today, allegedly began in the United States in the early 20th century when Anna Jarvis, inspired by her own mother’s work and love for her children, started campaigning for a national holiday to honor mothers. However, Jarvis became disillusioned with the holiday’s commercialization and departure from her original intention. She even tried to have it removed from the calendar before her death.

When you look deeper into its true origin, you will find the roots of Mother’s Day can be traced back to age-old pagan celebrations. In ancient times, many cultures celebrated the Mother Goddess or the Great Mother, who many believed was the source of all life and fertility. These celebrations were held in honor of the Mother Goddess and were meant to offer prayers and thanks for her blessings.

The ancient Romans held a festival called Hilaria in honor of the Mother Goddess Cybele, which was celebrated in March. Similarly, the ancient Greeks held a festival called the Thesmophoria in honor of the Mother Goddess Demeter, which was celebrated in October.

As followers of Christ, we are called to discern the origins and significance of our celebrations and traditions. The Bible speaks against the worship of pagan gods and goddesses and requires us to worship the one true God, who created us and sustains us.

In the book of Exodus, we read about the Israelites, our biblical forefathers, who were led out of Egypt by Moses. While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments from God, the Children of Israel made a golden calf and worshiped it as a god. This angered the Most High, and He punished us for our disobedience.

“And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 32:1-4, KJV)

Jeremiah 7:18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.

We must be careful not to fall into the same trap as the Israelites and worship pagan gods and goddesses, even if it is disguised as a holiday celebrating motherhood.

Instead, we should honor and respect our mothers every day of the year, as the Bible commands us to honor our parents.

“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” (Exodus 20:12, KJV)

In conclusion, while Mother’s Day may have pagan origins, as followers of Christ, we must be discerning in our celebrations and remember to honor and respect our mothers every day of the year, as commanded by God.