Palm Sunday occurs on the Sunday before Easter and commemorates triumphant Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem, where he entered the city knowing that he would be tried and put to death on a cross, but also that he would rise from the grave and save all of humankind from their sin.  Jesus came to show that had not come to establish an earthly kingdom, and so did not ride in on a horse or chariot as expected, but on a donkey: a sign of humility and peace.

The name Palm Sunday come from the crowds of people in Jerusalem laying down palm branches and joyfully celebrating the arrival of their King.  The people also shouted ‘Hosanna’, which means ‘please save us.’  In many churches, the building is decorated with palm leaves, either inside or out to commemorate that we celebrate Jesus as our King and as a reminder that we welcome Jesus into our hearts and therefore our willingness to follow him.