Palm Sunday

 Palm Sunday is the day in the year when Christians remember the day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey with all the crowds cheering for Him. You can find out more about what happened on Palm Sunday by watching this animated film, The Triumphal Entry, which shows what Christians believe about Jesus entering Jerusalem at the start of Easter Week. 

In church on Palm Sunday, Christians often remember what happened when Jesus rode into Jerusalem by giving out palm crosses, or by waving palm branches and shouting ‘Hosannah!’ which means something like ‘God saves us’ or ‘God is good.’ There is a song called ‘Shout Hosanna!” which you could learn.

Perhaps you could make your own palm branch from a rolled up newspaper. Or if you want a challenge, you could try making your own Palm Sunday cross. (You might need an adult to help you with these activities)

Could you recreate the scene using Lego or Playmobile or other figures? Think about who would take part and what they might be thinking or feeling.

((Who wouldn’t be there? Why not?)

What do you think is the most important part of the Palm Sunday story?

Some questions to think about.

Why is it important to make people feel welcome? How could you welcome a visitor to your house? Or a new child to your class? How could you welcome someone who came to England from another country?

What do you think a Christian would say if they were welcoming Jesus today? Why?

TIME FOR REFLECTION

Let’s spend a moment thinking about that week. It started with a great parade: everyone was singing and shouting that Jesus was someone special, that he was the Son of God. However, later that week, the religious leaders who didn’t like Jesus spread rumours and made the crowds shout that they wanted Jesus dead. They created so much fuss that Jesus was killed by the Roman soldiers.

What they didn’t realize was that this was all part of God’s plan. Jesus would come back to life and the world would be changed.

Prayer

Dear God,
Sometimes, we don’t understand it when difficult or sad things happen.
Help us to remember that you are always there for us.
Thank you that you always care.
Please help us to trust you.
Amen.