Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Cottonwood, Arizona
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. ~ Zechariah 9:9 (This was prophesied more than 500 years before Jesus was even born!)
I’m going a bit out of order, since I’m behind in my posting – the last posting being from 3/28 – but that’s okay because Blaine and I are taking today off anyway, so there should be nothing of note to share. 😊
Today is Palm Sunday! And Christians all over the world should be gathering together to celebrate Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem just four days before those same exuberantly worshipping, celebrating people cried out just as exuberantly for His death.
But for now, thanks to COVID-19 we rejoice alone in our worship as we commemorate Palm Sunday.
All four Gospel writers record the occasion, and I’m quoting a mix of Matthew 21:8-9 and Mark 11:7-10, When they brought the colt (the foal of a donkey) to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Those who went ahead of him and those who followed shouted,
Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!
And in our time, churches everywhere hand out palm branches on this day, and sing jubilant songs of praise and worship. But not this year. This year, there are no churches meeting. This year, we sing and worship alone, or, if we’re lucky, we have access to an on-line or televised message. But you and I know, it’s not quite the same.
When I was growing up, every year our church joyfully sang a song called “The Palms” as we waved palm branches. It was the only day it was sung, but it was enough for me to remember the words and the tune. I tried looking it up today to get into the spirit of things, but although I found several renditions on YouTube, and even one from the Library of Congress (believe it or not!) It just wasn’t the same. I even texted my mom to see if she was singing it at her house. She told me “No, but I’m waving my palms”. When I told her I didn’t have any palms, she replied, “Don’t you have two of them?” lol!!! Funny mommy!!
Anyway, here’s the words (at least the way I remember them). If you know the tune sing out! It’s Palm Sunday!! And Easter’s just around the corner!!
O’er all the way green palms and branches gay
Are strewn this day in festal preparation
Where Jesus comes to wipe our tears away
E’en now the throng to welcome Him prepare
Hosanna! Praise ye the Lord!
Let every voice resound with joyous acclamation!
Hosanna! Praise ye the Lord!
Bless Him who cometh to bring us salva-a-a-a-a-a-tion!
Happy Palm Sunday everyone!!
