Today is the day when Lent really changes pace. Before, it was all about reflection and preparation. Now, if you're following the traditional Catholic or Protestant calendar (which my church doesn't, actually), it becomes full of action - out of the abstract and into the very, very solid.

My Palm Sunday post for children is below, and gives an idea of the kind of action we can expect for the next few days. The coming week is known as Holy Week and it follows carefully, and quite acturately in terms of timing, the events of the last week before Jesus' crucifixion, death and resurrection. I like the fact that Jesus was in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover - first, it emphasises his essential Jewish heritage, and secondly, it gives us an accurate timing for when it all happened, unlike the unknowable date and time of his birth. This year, Passover begins on March 30th and ends on April 5th.

I wanted to write the series for children because this bit, full of stories, actions and tangible objects like palm branches, coats, bread, wine, even nails, is where they can begin to understand what is going on and truly prepare for Easter in a way that the abstract ideas of Lent can't offer them.
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I think it's not much different for me. I want to live the stories of Jesus in Holy Week to the full, so that I don't miss a thing in this most gripping, harrowing, emotionally-charged and finally triumphant week!