Welcome to the end of one week and the beginning of a new week which happens to be the week before Easter making today March 24 Palm Sunday #PalmSunday. Will you and your family be celebrating Psalm Sunday? My family isn’t doing anything special other than having dinner today and hanging out. For the first time ever or at least it seems like ever I haven’t even decided what I will be preparing for Easter Dinner or who if anyone I want to invite for dinner.
Sounds like I need to take a step back and decide on what I want to do because I know David will be working but I need to do something for Charlie and I’m sure my sister will need somewhere to go on Easter because her family is always leaving her home alone on the Holidays which is BS.. If you don’t have plans for Easter and need to go somewhere for dinner your more than welcome to join us. If you don’t have a way here we can pick you up or bring you dinner. Just let me know what is easier for you. In the meantime have a Blessed week and remember to smile and speak to everyone you come into contact with.
Palm Sunday, falls on March 24th. Are you ready to celebrate Palm Sunday? Which is the beginning of Jesus’ final week on Earth. Did you know Palm Sunday is not an official federal holiday, which means businesses usually are open and running. However, since Palm Sunday falls on a weekend (the Sunday before Easter), it gives people enough time and space to celebrate Palm Sunday by going to Church and indulging in other traditions.
Each Country has its own share of cultural influences celebrating Palm Sunday’s celebrations. For example, in Latvia, Palm Sunday is celebrated as ‘Pussy Willow Sunday’ as these plants are used instead of the regular Palm. What’s also interesting is that children are customarily woken up on the day with a swipe of the willow.
Marking the beginning of an end, Palm Sunday is, undoubtedly, an important day in the history of Christianity. Much can be said about the occasion, from its historical significance to what it has implied in religious terms and such. We take you back to those times when religious miracles abounded.
At its basic, Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ victorious entry into Jerusalem. Jesus entered riding a Donkey and the people welcomed him using Palm fronds. They laid down the leaves and their cloaks on the ground as Jesus entered the City. Some accounts also state that Jesus held some of the Palm fronds in his hand and waved these as he passed by.
Jesus’ return to the city also fulfilled Prophet Zachariah’s prophecy that the Messiah will return and bring glad tidings for Jerusalem’s people. When Jesus was entering the City, many also shouted, “Hosanna!”, which means “God saves” or “Save now”. The people saw him as the King and ruler of the City, many already aware of Jesus being able to perform miracles like raising the dead and speaking during infancy.
There is also symbolism involved in Palm Sunday. Did you know Palms are considered as signs of peace and victory, and Jesus’ entrance being marked by these plants point towards the incoming peace and victories that the people were hoping for. Another symbol is the Donkey, and during those times, warlords, bent on hostility, would ride in on horses. But, on the other hand, Kings meaning well and peace would ride Donkeys to indicate their gentle intentions.
Palm Sunday, which is also known as Passion Sunday, is followed by other important days like Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, with each of these holding special significance unto themselves. Many people celebrate Palm Sunday by visiting Churches and reenacting Jesus’ entrance scene. They also take special care of Palm fronds during this week as the leaves are considered sacred. The leaves are burned and used in ash form later on in the week.
HOW PEOPLE OBSERVE PALM SUNDAY
- As with all important days, there are a ton of preparations to do and so little time to do them. Your friends would appreciate it if you lent a helping hand. Spirit of unity is another important part of Palm Sunday and, by helping out your friends, you are imbibing that very spirit.
- Prepare/Learn about Palm Sunday week and also study and learn abouts Good Friday and Shrove Tuesday, just to name a few.
FACTS ABOUT THE PALM THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND
- Palm Trees are some of the tallest plant species, growing up to 160–200 feet and giving competition to skyscrapers.
- Apart from Christianity, Palm Trees are also considered symbolic in Islam with many in the Arabian Countries giving importance to their Fruit.
- It’s not just their heights that are lengthy but also their lives, as some Palm species can grow to be centurions or even older.
- Did you know you can grow your own Palm inside a pot as these are quite versatile plants.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE PALM SUNDAY
- Palm Sunday is a celebration of peace and gentleness in a world that is torn apart by violence and polarization, things like peace, calm, and gentleness are much needed. Palm Sunday allows us to take a moment to appreciate the gift of life and all that it has to offer.
- The people of Jerusalem had been waiting for generations upon generations for the Messiah to come. Prophet Zachariah’s prophecy took some time to happen, but it eventually did. Palm Sunday promises better times to come, always.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
