What is Palm Sunday? It is the day that Christians celebrate the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem riding on a donkey, a parade broke out! People lined the road and they laid down their cloaks. They also tore off palm branches and waved them like a flag or a banner and called out, “Hosanna!”. Hosanna means “save us” or “salvation is here”. The crowd was celebrating but none of them had any idea that in just a few days Jesus would be hanging on the cross. Palm Sunday is the beginning of holy week. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday take place that week with the culmination being Easter Sunday.

Activity
Kids could enact the triumphal entry by laying down jackets or sheets. You can cut strips of green paper to use as palm branches. They can then jump around and yell – Hosanna! Hosanna! For most kids there is nothing better than having permission to jump and shout!