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Holy Week celebration of Jesus, Palm Sunday, and Easter

A surprising spring snowfall brought reminders of Christmas during this Holy Week in which we celebrate Easter. A simple glimpse back brings connection to the events from Palm Sunday to Easter, finding the gift of Jesus in the middle of the celebration.

Christmas

It’s April and it snowed this week. The big fluffy flakes were out of place locally this late in the year. Watching them float to the ground with some retaining their form as they landed was magical. So beautiful in fact that it didn’t matter they came so late in the season. The moment still brought the giddy feeling a winter snow fall brings. While the calendar may already say spring, this surprising weather brought back the magic of Christmas.

Jesus’ birth

As we approach Easter Sunday and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, when he rose to life, we can take a moment to look back at Christmas when we celebrate his birth.

An angel of the Lord spoke to Mary’s husband Joseph in a dream announcing the birth of this gift from God.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NIV

When the Messiah arrived, an angel announced the good news to the shepherds out in the field:

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11 NIV

Jesus’ arrival

The shepherds rejoiced at Jesus’ arrival.

Another group of people celebrated Jesus’ arrival. This time as an adult it was his arrival into Jerusalem.

Holy Week

This week is Holy Week, the succession of days from Palm Sunday to Easter. The days between the triumphant procession of Jesus into Jerusalem and the victory in heaven as Christ made a way for us.

Hosanna

At the beginning of the week a joyful crowd greeted Jesus with shouts of praise as he made his way into Jerusalem.

“They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the king of Israel!” John 12:13 NIV

Victorious

Riding on a donkey, Jesus fulfilled the words spoken by the Old Testament prophet Zechariah:

“Rejoice, O people of Zion!
    Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!
Look, your king is coming to you.
    He is righteous and victorious,
yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—
    riding on a donkey’s colt.” Zechariah 9:9 NLT

A victory parade suitable for a king.

Shouts

By the end of the week another crowd raised their voices with words meant for Jesus.

“Crucify him!” they shouted. Mark 15:13 NIV

This crowd had chosen his fate. Or had they?

Raised to life

While Jesus was still with his disciples, he told them,

“The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” Matthew 17:22-23 NIV

Remember

For Jesus’ followers, the days began with a joyous procession. But a few days later the disciples were surprised as their teacher was taken away from them. So much happens in the middle that we can miss if we don’t pause to remember. Remember Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. Remember Jesus breaking the bread and lifting the cup to remind his followers of his body and blood offered for the forgiveness of sins. (Luke 22:19-20, Matthew 26:26-28)

Gift of life

As we move through Holy Week may we pause to remember what Christ did for us and truly celebrate the gift of life He gave for us.

Another perspective on Holy Week:

Holy Week – Palm Sunday to Easter and everything in between

Just getting started with the Bible? Here’s a free resource:

5 Quick Steps to Get into the Bible

Christmas carols in the Scriptures – O Little Town of Bethlehem

Why is Bethlehem referred to as “little” in the Christmas carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem”? Find connection to the Scriptures and the significance of this little town.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

As I’ve become more familiar with the content of the Bible, words and phrases from Christmas carols take on new meaning as I recognize references in scripture. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” is one such carol whose lyrics speak more deeply the more I read my Bible. Let’s look at a few noteworthy observations as we seek to find significance in this song about a small town.

Christmas carol

This may not be the most well-known Christmas carol. Songs like “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” or “Silent Night” tend to top the list of a Christmas carol sing-along. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” is more likely to be a song some singers in the group know but not all. The other two songs clearly sing of the angels or nativity scene with mother and child. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” focuses on a location. What’s so important about that and why is it described as “little”?

That’s precisely what caught my attention this year as I pulled out holiday tunes to play on the piano. Let’s look at the name of this song to discover some details about its significance.

O Little Town

Why little?

This description of “little” comes from a reference in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew:

“And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
    are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
    who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.” Matthew 2:6 NLT

This is actually a reference to words of the Lord through the prophet Micah in the Old Testament:

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    are only a small village among all the people of Judah.
Yet a ruler of Israel,
    whose origins are in the distant past,
    will come from you on my behalf.” Micah 5:2 NLT

Did you notice the contrast of how these are both written? The Old Testament excerpt describes Bethlehem as “only a small village among all the people of Judah.”

Then the Lord continues to proclaim, “Yet a ruler… will come from you on my behalf.”

The New Testament passage from Matthew declares, “You, O Bethlehem… are not least among the ruling cities of Judah.”

Then continues to announce, “For a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.”

The Old Testament passage from Micah helps us understand the label “little”. But we also see that in spite of Bethlehem’s small stature, this little town was chosen for a great purpose.

Bethlehem and a ruler

This ruler, a shepherd, points forward to Jesus. The Son of God sent from the Father. Jesus the Good Shepherd. (John 10:11,14)

Bethlehem is the birthplace of the Messiah. Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, the town of Joseph’s lineage.

“And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.” Luke 2:3-5 NIV

David, a shepherd, who also happened to be the least of his brothers. When the Lord sent Samuel to the house of a man named Jesse to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as king, no one expected the youngest son David to be chosen.

“Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, ‘The Lord has not chosen these.’ So he asked Jesse, ‘Are these all the sons you have?’

‘There is still the youngest,’ Jesse answered. ‘He is tending the sheep.’” 1 Samuel 16:10-11 NIV

Bethlehem and provision

In the Old Testament book of Ruth, we find another connection to Bethlehem and to David. A widow named Naomi returned to her people in Bethlehem. Accompanying her was her faithful daughter-in-law Ruth, also a widow who was from Moab.

Ruth met and married a man named Boaz, a guardian-redeemer (Ruth 2:20) whose act of redemption brought Ruth into his family and provision for the widow. From this union a woman on the outside joined the family line of Judah and became an ancestor of Jesse and of David, the shepherd who grew to be king. (Ruth 4)

From this family line came the One who would be ruler and shepherd, Jesus.

Bethlehem’s significance

Bethlehem, the place the shepherds journeyed to after a visit from an angel gave them word of the Messiah, the Savior born there. (Luke 2:8-15)

While Bethlehem may have been small, her role in history is far reaching. And who came to Bethlehem but shepherds, the outcasts of society, and a pair of widows, easily forgotten were it not for the presence of a redeemer.

And who came out of Bethlehem but a shepherd David, the youngest of his brothers, and a Savior, Christ the Lord.

What of your story? Do you see yourself with a small part to play? What greater role might God have for you that’s bigger than you imagine? Your part may be more significant than you realize. Take a cue from a small home town that birthed the greatest gift from God.

Looking for more Christmas carols?

Christmas Carols in the Scriptures – Angels We Have Heard on High

Christmas Carols in the Scriptures – O Holy Night

Christmas Carols in the Scriptures – Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Christmas Carols in the Scriptures – The First Noel

Christmas Carols in the Scriptures – O Come O Come Emmanuel

Wondering how to get started with the Bible? Here are five simple steps to get into the Bible.

How to overflow with hope

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 4:31 — 4.2MB)

How would you like to overflow with hope?

Could you use some hope in your life?

Abundance of hope

Did you know we have access to an abundance of hope if we know where to look? And not just hope for ourselves, but for our families, friends, and the people around us. Where do we find it? If you guessed the Bible, you’d be on the right track, but it’s more than that.

Word of God go-to verse

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to go to the Word of God, have a go-to verse or verses to lean on and lean into when needed?

I don’t know about you, but short of seeing a verse on a plaque on the wall or greeting card, I haven’t actively engaged in a process to memorize scripture and anchor into a verse.

Apply a scripture passage

How can we intentionally apply a scripture passage in our own life and add it to our spiritual toolkit to access when needed?

Anchor into the Word of God

More than just reading a verse and trying to remember it, what if we connected in a tangible way to the passage to anchor ourselves in the Word of God?

Let’s start with this one from the book of Romans.

God of hope

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV

I was never good at memorizing scripture. How about you? I’ve read this Bible verse so many times now I’ve memorized this one. More than that, I’m on my way to internalizing this verse. Able to recall it in a moment because it’s written on my heart and has taken root in my way of thinking.

Spend time with these words

It started as a verse on a notecard. At the time I didn’t actually know where it was located in the Bible, I just saw it as a lovely verse. The more time I spend with these words, the more they speak to me. Not only can I recall them, but I can anchor myself in them. I pray the same for you.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV

Let’s start with a pause. Pause to read and absorb this verse from the book of Romans.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV

Overflow with hope

How do we overflow with hope?

Trust in God.

He fills you with joy and peace.

You overflow with hope.

By the power of the Holy Spirit.

Not a manufactured artificial hope that we have to try and keep up, but hope fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our trust in God leads to Him filling us with joy and peace, through which we receive hope.

And that hope is not simply enough for you, but an overflow, an abundance that reaches those around you. Not only do you receive the hope you need, but you become a conduit of hope for others, a carrier of hope to a world in need of hope.

When we remember how to experience hope, we can continually come back to the source, the God of hope. We can lean into the blessing of these words.

Pray from scripture

We can also pray from this passage of scripture.

“Lord, fill me with all joy and peace. I trust you.

I trust you are moving and working in whatever situation I find myself in, even when I don’t understand or can’t make sense of it. Even when I’m not sure which direction to take or how to move forward. I trust you, Lord.”

So my prayer for you is this:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV

What if we prayed this verse for each person we interact with, every individual whose name comes to mind, and everyone we see? The person in the car in front of you at the stoplight. The one in the grocery store. The stranger, the friend.

Whether we speak this prayer aloud or pray it in our heart, we can send out a blessing of hope to whomever we encounter.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV

For more insights on how to anchor into the Word:

Are you thirsty? Find refreshment in the Word

A simple way to find peace throughout the year

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 7:18 — 6.7MB)

Long after the holidays have passed, an unexpected gift shows us a simple way to find peace throughout the year.

Promise of peace

In the busyness of life, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the details of a too long to-do list or the myriad of thoughts cluttering our minds. The promise of peace on earth can feel like a distant memory from a long-forgotten holiday. That is, until we discover a misplaced, overlooked decoration that didn’t find its way back into the box from whence it came.

What if that seemingly out of place ornament is really a reminder of what shouldn’t get packed away?

Wayward ornament

Every year one ornament hides from the boxes and doesn’t get put away after the Christmas season is over. Sometime in the first few weeks of the new year I discover the wayward ornament. I’ve come to expect it and just wonder who the seasonal stowaway will be. This January was no different, at least as far as forgetting one. But this year’s blunder was colossal, not even close.

I look now and think how could I have possibly missed it – or them as it were? Sometimes I forget I’ve set up decorations in a less traveled room and simply don’t get back to the space before all the box lids are closed. But this year’s hold outs were in the same room as the Christmas tree albeit at the opposite end of the room.

Reminders of the celebration

But seriously, how could I have missed something – or things – so big? What you ask? Two holiday banners. One long and skinny, the other a square. The first adorned with a star, a candle, bells, and other instruments. Festive symbols of sacred song and worship. Reminders of the celebration of our Savior’s birth, Jesus who brings light and life into our midst.

The other banner shows an ornament adorned with a dove accompanied by the words “Peace on Earth.”

When I consider these two banners adorned with symbols of the season, I see signs of worship and peace. A reminder of the angelic praises of heaven witnessed by the shepherds on that holy night.

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14 NIV

Might we remember this message of hope in the new year?

In a season when so much can distract or discourage us, we can remember that worship is the way to peace. When weighed down by the worries of the world, we can worship our way to peace in our hearts.

Pause

I never feel like I have enough time to get everything done. Then when I sit with Jesus, really sit, not a drive by coffee chat, but settle in, questions get answered, priorities realized, insight comes, my heart fills with a sense of calm and what’s really important.

So if you’re not sure how to get started, simply pause, rest for a moment without an agenda, but rather a heart ready to seek Jesus’ presence.

We could call this a precursor to prayer. This pause doesn’t require preparation, only expectation of a moment left open for the Savior to spend a moment with us.

Sometimes that happens by simply looking out a window at nature. A chance to step outside, then taking the time to notice a branch of a tree, a bird, or even a rock can anchor us to the beauty of God’s creation, clearing the mind of chaos.

Pray and listen

If we choose to pray, then let our prayer be the beginning of a dialogue, not a monologue. If we resist the urge to do all the speaking, and instead listen, we leave room for the Holy Spirit to speak into our heart.

Passage

Reading scripture offers another entry point into peace.

New to reading scripture? Here’s an overview of the whole Bible:

Bible quick view

Sometimes you don’t even have to open your Bible to benefit. Simply holding a Bible can provide a tangible reminder of our connection to Jesus.

I wrote a blog post about that here:

Don’t open your Bible, at least not yet

In some ways it’s like having coffee with a friend. Even before the conversation starts, the connection and the benefit of being in their company begins.

If we allow our Bible to be a reminder of God’s Presence in our lives, then simply reaching for it can posture us toward a sense of peace.

But if you do open your Bible to read, pray and ask God to show you something in the scripture passage. Just that much is an invitation for God to speak.

Verse 11 from Psalm 29 provides two phrases we can rest in:

“The Lord gives strength to his people;
   the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11 NIV

Let the words of the psalm settle into your heart and mind.

“The Lord gives strength to his people;
   the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11 NIV

Do you need strength today? Hold onto that portion of the verse.

Do you need peace? Receive the blessing in the words of this psalm.

When I pause to reflect on this verse, these two phrases, I see a gift and a blessing from God.

The gift of strength and the blessing of peace.

We can also breathe the words of this passage. As we breathe in, we can read the first phrase:

“The Lord gives strength to his people;”

As we breathe out, we focus on the second half:

“The Lord blesses his people with peace.”

Just doing that requires me to slow down my breathing, a benefit of resting in the Word of God.

Praise

We can also take a cue from the angel in the Christmas story and praise God. Here’s a little context from the Gospel of Luke chapter 2, verses 13 and 14. This is right after the angel of the Lord tells the shepherds about the Messiah:

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” Luke 2:13-14 NIV

If it works for the angel, we can praise God with the same words.

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14 NIV

Settle into the song of the angel. Worship with the heavenly host. Praise a path of peace.

Peace on earth

This morning I pondered the words of this passage, specifically the phrase “peace on earth.” Outside was a bit stormy. At the time the wind blew in temperatures below freezing, while I sat in warmth and comfort. This had me thinking, what if “peace on earth” isn’t so much about peace covering the earth, but about us experiencing peace while on the earth? For those who choose to live a life that includes Jesus, we can receive such peace.

Way to peace

God is more powerful than our problems. What if the way to peace comes through praise and worship? Not focused on our problems but on the power of God.

When I think on those two banners left out after the holidays were over, I now see them as gifts from the Holy Spirit. Maybe I was meant to find these gentle reminders, that spoke so surprisingly because they felt out of season. But maybe peace and calm should feel like year-round gifts from God, and maybe He needs to reclaim our attention because as the new year busy takes over we can easily forget the gift of a child bringing a message of “peace on earth.”

Maybe what felt out of place was really what was needed in the first place.

Whether through a pause, a prayer, or the Word of God, may your worship and praise draw you into a place of peace.

New to reading the Bible? Here’s a handy guide to what’s in it:

Bible quick view

Still looking for a Bible? Here are some hints on how to choose one:

What to look for when choosing a Bible

Not sure where the Psalms are in your Bible, here’s a way to locate them:

Finding My Place

Simple strategies for navigating scripture

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 5:36 — 5.2MB)

Christmas might be all packed away, but the search for ornaments on the tree may offer some strategies for navigating scripture.

Have you ever wondered how the Bible all fits together or how to find anything in it? Like locating each ornament on the tree, I’m all about understanding where to find content in the Bible. I think one of the biggest obstacles I faced when first trying to read it was how much time it took to find anything. Then when I did open it, many times the information felt a bit random. I didn’t know how it connected to the rest of the Bible.

As I was putting away Christmas ornaments, I saw similarities to scripture navigation which could prove useful.

All you have to do is find it

Most of the ornaments on our tree don’t have specific boxes they go in. Much of packing up Christmas is about making a space to store all of the holiday decorations. But some do have a specific box they go in, and a handful of those boxes have a picture of the ornament on the front so you know what’s supposed to go inside. Truth be told, those are the easiest ornaments to put away, because a particular ornament goes into a specific box – all you have to do is find the ornament on the tree.

Search becomes a treasure hunt

With the picture on the front of the box, you know what you’re looking for. Now the fun begins as the search becomes a treasure hunt.

I’ve seen that before

Next comes, “I know I’ve seen that somewhere before,” and you try to remember where on the tree you recall having seen the ornament nestled in among the fir branches, lights, and garland.

Sometimes I’ll remember I saw it when I was sitting on the couch looking at the tree, which helps narrow the search area.

How I find it

During the search one of several things generally happens:

I find the ornament right away.

I realize when and approximately where on the tree I remembered catching a glimpse of it.

I do a grand sweep of the whole tree (which rarely unearths the sought-after object).

My husband finds it, but that’s only if I let him know what I’m searching for.

I momentarily stop looking and find a box for another ornament. Eventually the one I was looking for appears.

The process

This year while engrossed in this process, which in some ways is like a game, I noted the similarities to navigating scripture, whether looking for Jesus or another connecting point in the Bible.

Sometimes Jesus’ presence in scripture is obvious, like in the Gospels when He’s with His disciples, and all those red letters highlighting what Jesus said if your Bible references Jesus’ words in red.

Other times His appearance or what I’m looking for isn’t obvious, but I’ll remember that it’s somewhere in the vicinity of or related to another story or passage I’m familiar with.

In other instances, I think about where and when I saw a particular scripture reference last.

What else was I reading at the time?

What other aspect of a passage of scripture do I remember?

Storyline

For example, the book of 1 Samuel begins with Samuel’s mother Hannah, hoping desperately for a child. Her fervent prayers are answered in her son Samuel who grows up to be a servant of God. He anoints the people’s king, Saul and eventually God’s choice for king, David. If we remember Samuel’s role in God appointing a ruler, we have clues to place people like Saul and David in the line up to help us find their stories in the Bible.

Other times I’ll release the search, keeping the concept I’m looking for in the back of my mind, knowing the Holy Spirit will catch my attention at the right time.

Name recognition

Genesis is another great place to establish some name recognition. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are a multigenerational trio that shows up throughout the Bible. Their storylines start in Genesis, but they continue to be mentioned from Exodus into the New Testament. Remembering these three goes a long way to keep us in the know as we read and see them reappear in various places in scripture.

Also, when we see something like “city of David” we can remember that’s connected to the David mentioned in the book of Samuel.

Connecting concepts

Leviticus holds some of the biggest treasure in the Bible, but for now, we’ll just focus on the offerings. In this third book of the Bible, we read about several different types of offerings. Just remembering the reference to these offerings in Leviticus goes a long way toward connecting other concepts in scripture.

Grand sweep

The grand sweep. This works well if you have a Bible with subheadings. It’s also helpful if you’re getting your bearings. You can skim the contents of a few books of the Bible, like all four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, located at the front of the New Testament. A skim of the beginning of these four books of the Bible helped me find the missing manger. I also began to notice the similarities and differences between the Gospels, noting which stories and aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry are covered in each.

A quick view of the Bible

Another way to get your bearings is with a quick overview of the entire Bible. If you’re not sure how to go about approaching the Bible, I have a handy quick view of the Bible. It’s a tri-fold brochure that doubles as a bookmark, offering a quick overview of the whole Bible.

Bible quick view

What’s important is to simply start the process of looking. You’d be amazed at what you’ll find.

So next time you open your Bible, begin your search.

The trouble of reading the Bible and one possible reason we don’t

Piano books and Bible books – an easy way to learn

Two things that kept me from reading the Bible – and what changed my tune