Why do we celebrate Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday takes place exactly forty days before Easter. (Forty days, not forty weeks, because Easter takes place on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox.) But what does the holiday really mean? And what does the palm trees have to do with him?
The significance of the holiday
We do not know everyone else, but we are actually quite looking forward to starting to celebrate Palm Sunday this weekend. This Sunday marks the beginning of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The celebration started last week, Maundy Thursday, when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. (You also will not want to miss this special service on Sunday.)
On Sunday we will all have the opportunity to mark the beginning of Jesus’ last week on Earth. Although Palm Sunday has not been designated a “holy day” by the Catholic Church, it is still an important time in our faith. It is a special day where we celebrate the coming of Jesus into Jerusalem, and it is a day where we have to tell him how much we love him. (Whether the church is for you or not, however, there are plenty of other ways you can enjoy Palm Sunday.)
According to the Bible, Jesus went to Jerusalem before the Jewish Passover. The people greeted him with joy as he entered the city on a donkey.
And they saw the prophecy about the prophet Zechariah from the 6th century BC. e. fulfilled, who predicted that the King of Peace would come to Jerusalem on a donkey. People spread their clothes and palm branches in front of him as a symbol of worship.
The significance of the palms Palm Sunday
The palm branches have a unique symbolism of the celebration even now. Palm procession, where the biblical narrative is re-enacted, is celebrated in several Catholic communities. The priest also sprinkles holy water on the branches during the blessing of the palm trees, which the believers carry home as protection against evil and disease. Due to the lack of true palm branches in Central Europe, juniper or willow branches are being replaced.
In the Evangelical Church there are no processions. Confirmations are largely held on Palm Sunday when the confirmands bring green branches into the church.
Palm Sunday, also known as Silent Week, is the beginning of Holy Week, where Christians reflect on Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross as they prepare for Easter . When is Easter ? The answer is April 17, but keep in mind that it is a ‘moving party’).
The palm donkey still leads the Palm Sunday procession in some areas, especially in Central Franconia and Upper Bavaria, and serves as a reminder of biblical history.
Conclusion
To sum up, Palm Sunday is an appropriate time to remember Jesus’ suffering and death. God gave Jesus to us so we could live forever with him in heaven, so we look forward to the day when it will be the truth. We only see Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, but consider what he will go through and how quickly it will happen.