For many Christians, the most sacred week of the year begins today, Palm Sunday. For the next seven days, countless churches all over the world will celebrate Jesus' life, death and resurrection with elaborate and beautiful worship.
If it has been a while, or if you have never been to church, Holy Week is a wonderful time to visit. Christianity began nearly two thousand years ago because of the events we remember this week.
Every church celebrates a little differently. Some trace their traditions back to Jesus' lifetime, and others create new experiences. Most churches have websites that describe what first-time guests can expect to help people feel welcome. These are some of the historic events churches commemorate.
Palm Sunday remembers Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem a few days before he was crucified. Jesus' teachings and miraculous healings had made him popular among the crowds.
Many hoped Jesus would overthrow Roman rule and establish an independent Jewish kingdom once more. Scripture describes a crowd welcoming Jesus as a king with the waving of palm branches. Some churches celebrate this day with the blessing and waving of palms at the opening of worship, recalling the ancient tradition.
Maundy Thursday is derived from the Latin word "command," recalling Jesus' final instructions to his disciples to love one another. Worship on this holy day remembers the night before Jesus died. Christians pay special attention to what Jesus did and said in his final hours. His words and actions are iconic: washing his disciples' feet and sharing the Last Supper. Some churches celebrate with foot-washing to recall Jesus' act of humble service and share in the bread and wine of Holy Communion.
Good Friday is the day Christians remember Jesus' ultimate act of sacrifice, when he died on the cross. More has been written on the mystery of what happened that day between God and humanity, heaven and earth, good and evil than can be explained here. But Christians call this day "Good" because we believe this act of self-giving love was intentional for us and for our salvation. Some churches honor this day with devotions and music that meditates on the cross.
On Holy Saturday, some churches begin their Easter celebrations of the resurrection. That God raised Jesus from the dead is the foundation of the Christian faith. Because Jesus was raised, Christians believe that we, too, will be raised from the dead. This resurrection, though, is not limited to a distant future but begins now. God makes new lives now, recreating us from the inside out with new hearts and new minds. The power of the resurrection is in us now so we can show the power of God's love to the world.
Easter Sunday is the grandest celebration of the Christian year. Churches overflow with joy, full of Christians celebrating the gift of new life, fragrant flowers, and beautiful music.
There is so much more to Easter than a bunny and a basket. God loves you. No exceptions. I have seen this love change lives. I believe this love changes the world. Visit a church near you this week and hear the real story.
The Rev. Kim Seidman is priest of Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Broomfield and one of the rotating "On Faith" columnists for the Broomfield Enterprise. She can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.org