Happy Friday, Team!
As we close this week and prepare for Palm Sunday, I consider how I grew up and what we did as church folk during this time of year. It is sometimes astonishing to look back at things we took for granted as children and think about how we may have put things from our childhood into the back of our memories. Then, suddenly, something happens that causes us to stop in our tracks and recall every detail we can think of.
I grew up in the church. My grandfather was a Pastor, and my grandmother was a strict church mother. We did everything to worship Jesus. Palm Sunday was not as full of activities as Easter, but we celebrated it nonetheless. Where did my Sunday School teacher find palm branches in Georgia back then? Were they fake? I don’t think so; I know they were real.
Come Palm Sunday, an usher handed families Palm branches as we entered the church. Then, as the church service began with glorious singing, we would wave those branches to various songs. I am sure one of the songs included Hosana!
I am many years past that time, and I don’t see many churches continue in the tradition of waving palm branches and celebrating. I wonder if we have elevated ourselves to the point of saying we are much too sophisticated for that. I don’t care how much education I have; I hope never to minimize any days set aside to honor Jesus.
Palm Sunday prepares us for what is about to happen. Jesus was entering Jerusalem for the Jewish feast of Passover as the crowds greeted Him waving palm branches. The palm branches symbolize victory, triumph, peace, and eternal life. As this week ends, I pray you are victorious over your challenges. I pray God’s peace that passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds. Finally, I pray that you know Jesus and the love of the Father. God loved us so much that He gave His Son’s life as a final sacrifice for you and me. May His blessings be with you.
Happy Palm Sunday weekend.
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