Palm Sunday
(entry by Lyse Rowledge, 08-Apr-2022)
Here are activities for Palm (Passion) Sunday and Holy Week. Some are gratefully recycled from Caroline and Pearle’s Palm Sunday lessons. Hard to believe this is the 3rd virtual Holy Week, hopefully the last!
Who’s the most important person you can think of (besides Jesus)? Someone you see on tv, a famous athlete? Imagine that person came to visit, riding down the street in a big fancy car. Lots of people would line up along the sidewalks to wave and cheer as he passed by. This is what it was like when Jesus came into Jerusalem. People who liked him treated him like a king. But instead of a fancy car, the king rode on the back of a small, gentle donkey. He showed he was a king of peace who came to serve others, not a soldier who wanted to control people.
See what followed:
We remember these events at church with special prayers and palm branches. Palm Sunday starts the most special week of the year for Christians, where we think about the end of Jesus’ life on Earth. He spent time with people He loved at a final meal, was hurt, then died. In everything He did, he gave himself to us and showed us how to put others first.
Why did He do all this? Because he loves each and every one of us. He didn’t just say it, he showed us by dying for us. That’s why we serve and praise Him – not that He needs anything from us, but because it’s how we grow closer to Him and others. In your life, you could respond by thanking Jesus, giving away toys/clothes to families who need them, letting go of a treat for a while, or spending time with people who don’t get many visitors.
To remember all that Jesus has done for us, here’s a paper palm leaf craft from Ministry To Children. If your kids are younger and your feeling creative and messy, try this handprint palm and footprint donkey craft (catholicicing.com)
For the rest of Holy Week, you might like this Easter Story Wreath colouring craft, sort of an abridged Stations of the Cross.