Getting ready to Party ...

Well, it’s Palm Sunday tomorrow– one of my favorite Sundays of the year.

It all goes back to childhood memories of the great sense of festivity … the chance to “party” in church, waving palm branches and singing very upbeat songs. Later it came to have meaning for me as I began to focus on the symbolism of celebrating the arrival of Jesus along with Mary and the others in Jerusalem which is so symbolic of the great city - world civilization. (Also, incidentally, Jerusalem is one of my favorite spots in the world – so beautiful. I always enjoy thinking about the place. Anyone who has been there will know what I mean).

The song that always comes to mind for me, and which I inevitably end up at least humming every Palm Sunday, is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s, "Hosanna", from Jesus Christ Superstar. Most years, in my childhood and teen days, we sang this song as the Sunday School processed waving palm branches. It’s interesting that this musical is again becoming very popular as there seems to be a little revival of passion around the story of The Passion. I know a few groups that have performed it lately with great gusto. I’m thinking of encouraging our current Choir Director to put the musical on next year at our church. We’ve got a little gang of teens that might just do a great job, and grow a lot in the process.

Here’s that favorite Palm Sunday song:

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