Palm Sunday

Happy Easter week! Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday is a precious time for Christ-followers to reflect, remember, refresh, and rejoice. Each day this week, I will share spiritual Easter facts that you can share with your family, a super spiritual or super cute (or both!) craft for celebrating this beautiful holiday, and other tidbits of things that come to mind. I hope you'll join me each day on this journey to Resurrection Day!

Gayle, a mentor mom in a weekly Bible study that I attend, recently led our group in creating Easter boxes (see below for instructions). She gave me full permission to share this craft, and her words, with all of you! In the box, you will have a "scroll" for each day that contains historical, Biblical facts to discuss with your family, and scripture suggestions that you may read with one another. While our little man is still a bit young for this activity, we did read through Sunday's scroll this evening at the table. Caleb folded his hands and leaned his chin on them while he listened intently...for about one minute. Pretty good for a toddler! For families with older children, you might want to to allow each child a turn of opening the scroll and reading the information aloud. I really encourage you to intentionally create time this week to acknowledge Christ's priceless gift to each of us. It can only be a blessing to you!

Find a small box that you (or your kiddos) can decorate with symbols that remind you of Easter.

Find "old-looking" paper (or sponge-paint for an authentic aged look!) and type up the information that I will share with you each day--Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday. Scrapbook scissors can be used for a neat design at the top and bottom of each paper. Use yarn or string to secure each scroll. Place them in the box, and keep the Easter box in a special place for you to enjoy each evening of the week. This is a really special activity that can be done year after year!

Palm Sunday - Jesus' Triumphal Entry

The symbolism of the Palm: Palm branches were used to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem, not just because they were available, but also because of what they represented. The palm was so important that when countries were at war, the first thing they did was cut away the palm branches of the enemy country--causing their enemies to suffer the loss of food and livelihood. There were almost no wasted parts to the trees. They could be used for food, tools, boats, utensils, medicine, decorative beads, perfume, and many other purposes. Strewing the branches at Jesus' feet was a symbol of sacrificing worldly goods, both necessities and luxuries.

Meaning of "Hosanna": The Greek form of the Hebrew expression for "Save us now!" or "Save, we pray!" It is taken from Psalm 118:25. It occurs nowhere in the English Bible except in the exclamations of the people at Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and in the joyous shouts of children in the temple.

Prophecy (scripture from the Old Testament that accurately foretold the happenings of Jesus): "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19

Easter Craft #1:

Click on the following link for directions on how to create your own Grace Garden...Making a Grace Garden

I hope these ideas can be a blessing to you and your family! Check back tomorrow morning for Monday's Easter devotional!