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Dear Readers of Country Squire Magazine, I trust You and Your loved ones are keeping well and healthy this Palm Sunday. That You are looking forward to Easter week despite the lock-down.

So, do You know what Palm Sunday is all about? You probably have the detail in your memory somewhere. Sunday school perhaps? GCSE or O Level RS?

Here is a quick reminder:

Palm Sunday is part of the Christian religious observance of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday and honours the 40 days Jesus went into the desert to pray. Palm Sunday marks the day Jesus returned to Jerusalem. He rode into the city on a donkey, which symbolised that he was a king who came in peace. His faithful placed palm leaves in front of his path. In placing the palm leaves in front of Jesus, his believers demonstrated they accepted him as their redeemer. Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Week, in which Jesus was betrayed, tried, and crucified.

How is Palm Sunday celebrated?

Every culture and religion have their own traditions for Palm Sunday. For Anglicans and Catholics, palm leaves are typically given to parishioners prior to the start of mass. Many believers save, dry, and then braid the palm leaves. The braided leaves are placed on a crucifix on display in their home and then replaced the following year. The church also saves the palms and burns them in the following year to create the ashes used on Ash Wednesday.

Easter is the most important religious holiday in some Catholic countries such as France, Italy, and Spain. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of celebrations, and the faithful mark the occasion by wearing long robes and participating in candle-carrying processions.

Early Christians did not celebrate Easter. When they began marking Easter, they tied the celebration date to Passover because Jesus died during the holiday. This changed in the fourth century when Christian leaders began using the lunar calendar to set the holiday.

This video is how I see Palm Sunday:

Try and remember that today is Sunday. Then try and remember that it is Palm Sunday. Enjoy the peace. Try and relax. God Bless You all and especially those families struck down with grief by Covid 19. Be well!

Dear Lord,

Thank you for sending your Son and paving the way for our lives to be set free through Jesus’ death on the cross. Thank you for what this day stands for – the beginning of Holy Week, the start of the journey towards the power of the cross, the victory of the Resurrection, and the rich truth that Jesus truly is our King of Kings.

“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord…”

We give you praise and honour for your ways are righteous and true. We give you worship for you are holy and just. We will declare that your love stands firm forever. For your loving kindness endures forever.

Thank you that your ways are far greater than our ways, your thoughts far deeper than our thoughts. Thank you that you had a plan to redeem. Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you that your face is towards the righteous, and you hear our prayers, and know our hearts. Help us to stay strong and true to you. Help us not to follow after the voice of the crowds, but to press in close to you, to hear your whispers, and seek after you alone.

We praise you, we bless you Lord! Thank you that you reign supreme and we are more than conquerors through the gift of Christ!

In the Mighty Name of Jesus,

Amen.