This weekend the Christian church celebrates Palm Sunday. What exactly is Palm Sunday? It is the day that Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. First, he was treated like a king, but later was ridiculed and beaten. He died on a cross beside two thieves. On the third day he rose from the dead. It is through this triumph that he came to save his believers.

All of this is predicted in the Bible. Jesus said, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” (Mark 9: 31)

Years ago, a minister asked during our youth group which holiday was most significant – Easter or Christmas. At that time, I thought that Christmas was most important. After all, if Jesus never became human how could he die to save us from our sins. Although that is true, in the Christian life nothing is more important than the saving grace provided by the death and resurrection of our Lord.

While checking my resources I happened upon a book that tells about Easter songs. I sent for this book years ago. At the time I was doing lay speaking and thought it would be a good resource. I was called upon to do some services before Easter that year. I recall how happy I was when it arrived. It gave me what I needed for my sermon.

Easter music dates back more than 1000 years ago. The song “All Glory, Laud, and Honor was written around 820 A.D. It is probably the oldest Easter song still sung by Christians.

This song was composed in a prison cell. The writer was sent to prison for the rest of his life. The man was Theodulph of Orleans. He was said to be unfit for public service by the church leaders. Although born of royal blood he gave up his money, property, and title to do the work of the Lord.

At twenty-one years of age, he became a priest dedicating his life to the poor. He caught the attention of the emperor, Charlemagne. Theodulph was the “bridge between the royal family and the country’s poor”.

When the ruler in France changed, Louis the Pious was intimidated by Theodulph. He charged Theodulph with treason and recommitted him to spend the rest of his life in prison. Prisoners became his flock. He taught them all he knew.

While in prison he took a quill and wrote down a verse he composed. The prisoners sang the song with gusto. When the king realized he could not defeat Theodulph so it is suspected that he had him poisoned.

More than 1000 years after the death of Theodulph, John Mason Neale reworked the phrases written by Theodulph and the song often sung on Palm Sunday was born.

Will our church sing this song this year, it is anyone’s guess? If your church does not sing the song take a few moments to read the words. They are really beautiful! The song was written to celebrate the King who rode triumphantly into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

Having been part of the Christian community for many years I have attended a variety of Palm Sunday services. The organist in the church that I now attend often plays stirring music that we all appreciate. I think “The Palms” is the name of the song. I sure hope we hear it!

I have not made my way up to Wegman’s to get my hot cross buns yet this year, but I will make the trip soon. That is a pastry that I have always enjoyed. I am not sure what it is about them, but they are really good. I remember having them as a child. I think at that time grandma bought them at the A & P. They really had good baked goods for a chain bakery. I also remember going to a small bakery down in the Polish section of town. If you went on Saturday morning, they always had a large variety of baked goods – sweet rolls, kummelweck buns, and coffee cakes. We enjoyed them all.

I do make bread in my bread machine that is almost like hot cross buns. I just need to have that mix of fruit to put in them. When the loaf is finished, I add a glaze so that it mimics hot cross buns. Guess it is time to dig out that recipe as well.

Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell, Pa. Contact at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.