The Mother’s Day has become an opportunity to remember and share God’s love for many Chinese Christians worldwide.
Today marks the Mother’s Day for most of the countries around the world. Chinese churches and Christians, which emphasize much on family values, have prepared various activities to celebrate the day according to their tradition.
In Taiwan, a family event called "Daddy, Mommy & baby happy time" was held at the Taidong Christian Hospital Saturday. In collaboration with the Taidong Country Health Department and Taidong Television, the event includes exhibition and seminars as well as other exciting activities.
In an activity called "Kangaroo Papa Camp," three fathers have to pretend they are pregnant and they are required to do some housework in a certain time limit. The game has allowed husband to understand the suffering of his pregnant wife, leading to better understanding and support. A participant shared after the game, "When I have holiday, I will surely help my wife to cook and give her food."
Some 30 children under the age of 1 played another competition. They are taught to tidy up their toys in certain time limit. Their elder brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers, help instruct them at the same time.
Later on, families who are going to receive new life have joined a special seminar about pregnancy, parenting and relationship between couples. Through the seminar, couples have learnt to enjoy the time of receiving new life instead of being frustrated.
Meanwhile, in Canada, a leading Christian ministry called the Christian Communication Inc. of Canada, has organized a series of "Mother’s Day Gospel Sharing Banquet" in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary with the theme "All Because of You" on May 5-7. A total of 1,110 people have participated from the four cities.
The banquet aims to offer an opportunity for mothers to share family time with relatives and children. Many of them have received the Gospel very well and committed to Christ. In Vancouver, out of 279 people, two of them have become Christians, two of them welcome visit from church and the other two are interested to listen to more messages. Since 1995, such gospel banquet has proved to be very fruitful.
Many other Chinese pastors have also given special sermons on this Sunday about the stories of mothers in the Bible. One very typical example is the mother of Jesus, Mary. Since Jesus’ birth, Mary has already recognized his unique and noble identity as the Savior of all people. Even though Jesus has acted very extraordinarily, such as he left his parents and preached to people when he was 12 years old, Mary has tried her best to show support and understanding. When Jesus walked the path of cross, Mary was one of the faithful women following him all the way to crucifixion despite deep pain in her heart. Through her endurance, great history has opened.
Some other examples are Timothy’s mother, Eunice and his grandmother, Lois. They both have passed on the tradition of Christian faith to him since his childhood, so as to prepare him to become an instrument for missions. Mothers are encouraged to follow the examples of these great mothers in the Bible and educate their children according to the Gospel.
