This marks the beginning of Holy Week, a period of both intense sorrow and joy for those of the Christian faith. Sorrow, because this is the time Christians are reminded of the public humiliation, suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Joy, because the week ends gloriously for them with the celebration of the resurrection of the one Christians revere as the Son of God.
Palm Sunday is so designated because as Jesus entered Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, the multitudes greeted Him, holding the branches of palm trees out toward him in tribute.
Palm Sunday, which was first observed about 300 years after Christ's death, is not mentioned in the Bible, but is celebrated by Christians as a symbolic heralding of their Lord's kingdom to the world.
The message of Palm Sunday is one of hope, followed by despair and then eventual triumph. It also is a lesson in looking beyond the obvious to find the true meaning of life's experiences.