Palm Sunday
by Mairi Seraile, Preschool Teacher & Co-Director
Just prior to a Palm Sunday service here at Hope Lutheran Church 38 years ago, a pastor handed a long green branch to a little girl in the preschool program. It was floppy and fun to hold so she began to wave the branch like the other kids in the group. Noticing the curious look on her face, the pastor bends down and places his hand on her shoulder saying quietly, “Can you say Hosanna?” The little girl practices saying it before following the group of church members and other children down the long center aisle in the sanctuary. She recalls the sounds of celebration, singing songs all together with a victorious sensation. After parading with the palm branches, someone directs the little girl to place the palm branch in a pile before heading to Sunday School. Her 5-year-old curiosity caused her to pause and sheepishly ask the person collecting the branches, “Why are we waving palm branches?”
The little girl, who had yet to learn of the significance of waving palm branches and joining in the parade of those singing Hosanna, did so with childlike trust and willing praise. Children can teach us a great deal about taking God at His word because they are naturally trusting. Psalm 8:2 says, “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.” Jesus included children in His ministry insisting that the disciples allow them to approach Him unimpeded (Matt. 10:14). It was during our Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem that the children, much like the little girl, joined in with the shouts of Hosanna saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David” (Matt. 21:15). Even with the religious leaders of that time objecting to the fact that the children were referring to Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus quotes Psalm 8:2 reminding them that God wants us to offer our childlike trust and worship to Him with humble and willing hearts.
To this day, we invite our Preschool and TK students to sing during the Palm Sunday service. Believe it or not, the little girl, me, is now a teacher here at Hope and is still a part of the procession down the center aisle. No longer joining in with only childlike trust, as to the why behind the shouts of Hosanna and waving branches, it has been my joy teaching children for 20 years about the truth behind the question I had that day so long ago. Zechariah 9:9, “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.” I invite you to come to our Palm Sunday service and join with us in praising with childlike trust in this truth. So, I ask again, why are we waving palm branches? Because of this, For God so loved the world that Hegave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Let us all raise a resounding Hosanna for God’s love for us!
March 29 – Palm Sunday, 8:30 & 10:30 AM
with school preschool classes singing and all children invited to wave palm branches.
Pancake breakfast served from 9:30-12:30.
