Why do we celebrate Mother's Day?

War Cry's Ewan Hall explores the origins of Mother's Day.

It's that time of the year again when many children will be frantically trying to think of how they can spoil their mums. Mother’s Day, also known as Mothering Sunday, is a joyful celebration when people sho their appreciation for all that their mothers do.

The origins of the day come from the Middle Ages when, on the third Sunday before Easter, people would return to their ‘mother church’, which was the church or cathedral where they were christened and grew up.

Servants were given the day off by their employer to go back home, and the meeting of families resulted in the focus shifting from the ‘mother church’ to mothers in general.

In 2025, Mother’s Day in the UK is a mix of the Middle Ages traditions – including the date and family reunions – and American customs that were gradually adopted after the Second World War. The US traditions, initiated by an activist called Anna Jarvis, focused on the sending of cards, gifts and flowers to celebrate mums and the positive impact they had on their children’s lives.

Whatever its origins, Mother’s Day can be a special celebration, but it can also be difficult for those who don’t have a close relationship with their mum. While many grew up with their mother’s unconditional love, not everyone had that same experience.

The good news is that there is someone who loves us all unconditionally even if we don’t feel that love from other people. God loves everyone, regardless of any disappointments they may experience with human relationships.

One Bible writer who experienced God’s love for himself said: ‘The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love’ (Psalm 103:8).

No matter what we may have gone through in our personal relationships, if we decide to put our trust in God, we can experience his unconditional and never-ending love.

That’s definitely something to celebrate – every single day.