Ready for Palm Sunday? Here's What to Know So You Can Prepare for the Holiday
Winter may get the credit for having the most extravagant holiday season, but that doesn't mean you should disregard spring! The blooming months bring on a whole new array of holidays. Depending on your faith and what you celebrate, Palm Sunday kicks off spring and all that it entails! The religious holiday, which centers around Jesus Christ and his arrival to Jerusalem, is actually the start of holy week, which in itself consists of Easter and Good Friday.
Whether you observe Palm Sunday or you're learning about it for the first time, read on for everything you need to know about the holiday, including its date in 2024, how it's celebrated, and how it earned its name! (Since you're reading this, you might as well start your Easter gift shopping and Easter dinner planning, too!)
What is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday, is commemorated as Christ's arrival in Jerusalem. Jesus made his way to Jerusalem to honor Passover, and his entrance to the city was heavily anticipated by its people. When Jesus entered the Biblical land on his donkey, his welcomers laid palm leaves in front of his pathway. According to Matthew 21:9 in The Bible, the crowd shouted these words to Jesus as he arrived: "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
This marked an understanding of peace, blessings, and faith between Jesus and Jerusalem's people, hence why the day is called Palm Sunday. The holy day is meant to act as a reminder for Christians to welcome Jesus into their hearts.
When is Palm Sunday in 2024?
This year, Palm Sunday is on Sunday, March 24, 2024. As the first day of Holy Week, Palm Sunday always occurs on the Sunday before Easter—hence, why the date doesn't remain consistent every year. This culminates in the Christian religious observance of Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent and its 40-day season.
How do Christians celebrate Palm Sunday?
Each group may have its own set of specified traditions, but the use of palm leaves is significant.
In a majority of Christian churches, palm leaves and branches are given out on Palm Sunday ahead of services. Typically, a service on Palm Sunday includes the priest or pastor reading the triumphant story of Christ entering Jerusalem or a procession where the priest will walk up to the church as his parishioners place palms before him. Some members of the congregation will receive palm branches that have been blessed by the priest and braided into crosses. After the season, these palms are returned to the church and incinerated to produce ashes used for Ash Wednesday the following year.
What are some symbols of Palm Sunday?
Those familiar with the Bible and its mention of the events that make up Palm Sunday know that there are a few symbols that resonate with the holiday. Some significant ones include palm fronds, donkeys, and lambs.
Many churches use the palm, often tying it in such a way that it appears as a cross, as a means of symbolizing the journey Jesus took to Jerusalem. In the same vein, since Jesus was said to have ridden a donkey or colt in his historical expedition, the animal is now thought of to be a symbol of peace! This is especially so, since donkeys were thought of more in a positive light, rather than the horses who were used in the war at the time. The idea of an Easter lamb is said to symbolize Jesus himself—an innocent body who was ultimately sacrificed for the greater good of the world to come.
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