This Sunday many Anchorage area churches celebrate Palm Sunday. What is the meaning of this day? Palm Sunday is observed on the Sunday before Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. As a point of interest, Palm Sunday is noted in all four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This day commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem just prior to the events leading up to his death and resurrection.

When and where available, churches often use palm leaves or branches to pay homage to the honor given Jesus as noted in the Gospels where people lay garments or cut rushes in the street. John’s Gospel does indicate palm fronds, a symbol of triumph and victory in the Jewish tradition. There’s much more. If you are interested click here for more.

Palm Sunday is a day of reflection and ceremony with many churches offering special music and pastoral messages of deeper significance. I encourage you to visit a local church offering these services to learn more and share in the deeper significance of these commemorations of Christ’s final days prior to his Passion.