With Palm Sunday right around the corner, Christians across the globe will soon be handed leaves as they walk into church. Some might fold them into elaborate little crosses. Kids will poke each other with them. But it's safe to say most won't know where they came from.
Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week, celebrating the triumphant arrival of Christ in Jerusalem days before he was crucified. According to the gospels, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a young donkey to the lavish praise of the towns people who threw clothes and palms in front of him as a sign of homage. This was a customary practice for people of great respect.
Palm Sunday begins the celebration of Holy Week on March 25, followed by Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead when we sing the familiar hymns of our churches.
"Thou Art the King of Israel"
"All glory, laud, and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King! To Whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
Thou are the King of Israel, Thou David's royal Son, Who in the Lord's Name comest, the King and Blessed One.
The company of angels is praising Thee on high, and we with all creation in chorus make reply.
The people of the Hebrews with palms before Thee went, our praise and prayers and anthems before Thee we present.
To Thee before Thy passion, they sang their hymns of praise, to Thee, now high exalted, our melody we raise.
Thou didst accept their praises, accept the prayers we bring, Who in all good delightest, Thou good and gracious King."
—Episcopal Hymn 154, Liturgy of the Palms and Processional
As we prepare for Holy Week, listen to the King's College Cambridge choir sing this hymn.
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