
Battir Eggplant Festival
The beautiful village of Battir, which was listed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites for its ...
Christians around the world celebrate Palm Sunday between March 22, till April 25th. On the Sunday that comes before Easter, we commemorate Jesus’s triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem. Thousands of people from all around the world join locals in walking the same path that Jesus walked, from the village of Bethphage that is located on the eastern edge of the Mount of Olives through the valley, entering the city of Jerusalem. This event is very important as it marks the last week of the season of Lent and also the first day of Holy Week (also called Passion Week) that culminates in Easter Sunday.
The historical background of Palm Sunday dates back to the end of the 4th Century when people would gather to have their palm blessed then walk the same path that Jesus walked in His entry to Jerusalem. They would hold palm branches that symbolize victory, triumph and peace, and olive branches that symbolize peace and victory, all while chanting verses from the Old Testament and saying “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD” (Psalms 118:26).
This event is important for it is the fulfillment of prophecy that was mentioned in the Old Testament book of Zechariah 9:9. It is also important to ponder how Jesus was feeling, for as much joy He had, He had also cried over Jerusalem. This was one of only three times that Jesus cried according to the Gospels.
The joy that is expressed on Palm Sunday is followed by the Passion Week when Jesus was taken away and suffered, crucified, and on Easter Sunday, He rose from death. That is the message for us today: even though there is suffering, pain, hurt, and neglect in people all around us, the resurrection is coming in few days. The night may seem to last for a long time, but the sunshine will break out soon. It may seem that our suffering now is for a long time, so in this season let us hold tight to the hope and the light of that resurrection that is coming soon without any doubt.
The beautiful village of Battir, which was listed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites for its ...
Once a year in the spring, local residents from Bethlehem area, Palestinians from near and far,
Every year in October, Manger Square comes to life with the sounds, sights and tastes of traditional ...