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Mayy 8th - 14th

Mother’s Day: Just a little trivia.

Did you know that Mother’s Day celebrations were observed as early as in ancient Greece times? However, these festivities were to honor Rhea, “the Mother of the gods.”

In England during the 1600’s, the Europeans celebrated a day which they called “Mothering Sunday” for the purpose of honoring the mothers of England. This “Mother’s Day” fell on the fourth Sunday of Lent, which, as we know, is the forty-day period preceding Easter.

During this time in England’s history, those less fortunate worked as servants for the wealthy British. Because many of the jobs were far from their own homes, the laborers lives in the homes of their employers; but on Mothering Sunday, the servants were given the day off and encouraged to spend it with their own mothers. They often prepared and took with them a special cake called the “mothering cake” for the festivities they anticipated.

With the spread of Christianity in Europe the purpose of “Mothering Day” was altered to honor the “Mother Church” which people believed gave them spiritual power, life and protected them from harm. With the passage of time, the celebration came full circle as people began once again to honor their mothers as well as the church.

In America, Julia Ward Howe first suggested that Mother’s Day in 1872 be a day devoted to peace. She held organized Mother’s Day meetings each year in Boston, Massachusetts. Then in 1907, Ana Jarvis who lived in Philadelphia began a crusade to establish a national Mother’s Day. Ms. Jarvis convinced her mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia to celebrate Mother’s Day on the second anniversary of her mother’s death, which was the second Sunday of May.

As a result of Ms. Jarvis’ efforts and those of her supporters by 1911 almost every state in America recognized Mother’s Day as a national holiday. Then in 1914, President Wood Wilson officially proclaimed that Mother’s Day would be a national holiday that was to be held on the second Sunday of May each year.

As we give thanks to God for our mothers, let us remember Exodus 20:12 (KJV): “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” May we live our lives so that we do not bring disgrace to our father and mother.

And as we conclude our meditation of Mother’s Day, let each mother or mother-to-be write these words on our hearts:
Proverbs 31: 10 – 31:
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Nancy Lee Clark

 

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