Tag Archives: triumphal entry

Exploring the Fascinating World of Palm Trees (Say Palm Fronds!)

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Welcome back to my little corner of the internet. Last Sunday was Palm Sunday (and the Sunday we dedicated our little grand baby to the Lord … but that was just a coincidence … and I just had to mention our little man because that’s what good grandma’s do … but it’s not my main point for this week). Palm Sunday. So called because the patrons of Jerusalem waved the branches of palm leaves during the triumphant entry of Jesus. Anyway, during a recent walk out in our local forest trail the youngest was commenting on Palm branches, Palm Sunday, and the like, and we laughed: “If Jesus had to come to Canada, wonder if we would have pelted Him with pine branches or something” was the comment. And so I muse…

Did you know that you can order exotic palm trees that are cold hardy enough to grow all winter in Canada? I guess they aren’t just for Palm Springs or Jerusalem! There are over 2500 species of Palm … and not all are classified as “trees”. The tallest one is about 200 feet high. But let’s face it, palm trees make you think of sandy beaches, coconut drinks and relaxing vacations. Or the strip at Vegas. Or that fancy place where people buy expensive clothes. Am I right? Maybe Jesus on a donkey is not your first thought when you hear “Palm trees”. Let’s think deeper. Those big fan-like leaves are called fronds. That’s a fun word to say: “Palm fronds”. I used to read a book to the kids about a little girl who made dolls out of palm fronds. It was a hard word to say then. Palm fronds. Go ahead; try and say it 10 times fast.

Anyway, fun fact: Palm fronds were built to withstand huge gusts of winds (think tropical rain storm hurricane) and once they do become separated from the tree, are not easily broken down. According to ABC news, Phoenix alone dumps roughly 34,000 tons of palm fronds from city streets into a landfill, costing over half a million dollars every year. That’s the mass equivalent of throwing out more than 4,500 African elephants. Yet, unlike our Canadian pile of mulchy leaf muck, palm fronds can easily be turned in other organic works of art: baskets, hats and even fencing or roof thatches. Reminds me of another Bible story of the friends who lowered the sick guy down through the roof. Can you imagine Jesus getting rained on by twigs and buggy leaf bits as they tear up the roof that must, at this point, be dried grassy brittle palm fronds. Say it again: palm fronds. Giggle. I hope it gets stuck in your head. Palm fronds. Palm fronds. Pond frogs. Pog Wands. Okay, enough about that.

One of the trees on our property after the ice storm

You’ve got to admit, trees are one of God’s most fascinating creations. Huge trunks, teeny buds. Our recent ice storm made me appreciate both the strength and fragility of trees. Mighty oaks and maples are littered on our streets now, and the huge cracks tell a story. If you look closely, there are almost holes where the branches grew out from the trunk. Even tonight, the hubby and I were surveying the forest on our property. It’s going to be a mess to clean up and process off the lawn. Unbreakable leaves notwithstanding, Canadian trees have many more branches to make a mess with than those tall palm tree trunks that only monkeys and very talented locals can climb. No tire swings, I guess, on Rodeo drive.

And that’s my little bit about the trees. Like Dr. Suess’ Lorax, I speak for the trees today… their uniqueness. Their symbolism. Their might. Their weaknesses. An object so abundant, we take it for granted. We cut them up. Toss them in the fire. Throw them on the ground, and pile up the leaves. Have you ever hugged one? Looked at and felt a tree trunk? Rubbed a soft maple leaf between your fingers? Or cut your fingers open on the sharp edge of those palm fronds they give out on Palm Sunday to the little kids to wave Hosannas with? Yup, God did a good job when He thought up all those green things that are out there in the woods. And in the streets of Jerusalem that day. Symbols that take a very long time to break down. I wonder if the streets left evidences weeks later of cloaks and leaves along the path. And if the locals remembered and pondered the events of that Holy Week. Did you know that “palm frond” in Hebrew is Lulav. Lu – to or unto, Lav, heart. In other words “We give to you our hearts.” 

Now, How about that for a cool thing to say? Lulav. Palm frond. It really is fun to say, isn’t it? You’re welcome.

Celebrate!

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We’re back from a week or so vacation celebrating a family wedding. While we were away, we had the privilege of celebrating not only July 1st for Canada Day, but July 4th for Independence Day in the United States of America. Both occasions involved public fireworks displays. In fact, fireworks were even at a birthday gathering we attended. And so, this week’s muse had me thinking about pyrotechnics and where it all began and why? Apparently, the first “firework” was said to have started in China around 400ish B.C. when someone accidentally threw a bamboo stick in the fire creating a loud “boom” as pockets of air heated up. Firecrackers and large noise makers were said to scare off evil spirits. Later, with the invent of gunpowder, military operations took the firework to new heights (ha, did ya see what I did there?) and now we see them used in celebrations of all kinds: religious, births, marriages, proposals and family gatherings. And, of course, public displays to celebrate Freedoms in many countries. The odd concert and sporting event uses them too. Plenty of money goes up in smoke for the sake of celebration!

Credit: Base firework image by Artur Strecker/Pixabay, infographic by Scott Sutherland

The original fire displays were all orange. The Italians began experimenting with different chemicals, and eventually, somewhere around 1830’s the “modern” firework was born. Named after flowers, spiders, Roman candles, even cakes, the experts all have their favourites. Sparkles and shooting stars. I saw a new one this year that looked like Saturn with rings. I like the shooting star things that sprinkle down. Or the squiggle ones that corkscrew away. Luckily, neither my kids or creatures have trouble with fireworks or big booming noises. I fear it is a concern for quite a few families. I hear they have silent fireworks now … and fancy drone displays as technology grows to allow for alternative light shows.

No matter what the colour or shape, fireworks somehow have moved away from their dangerous military beginnings, to one of celebration. Baby gender reveals with blue and pink streaks. Sparklers on birthday cakes. If used wisely, it’s all in good fun. Of course, gunpowder is still dangerous. In the USA, 8 deaths were reported in 2023. Injuries usually involve young males. No comment. Be safe, people! Celebrations should be just that, celebrations! And yet, I can’t help but think of another celebration that quickly turned awry.

Photo by Rakicevic Nenad on Pexels.com

When Jesus entered Jerusalem with His disciples riding a colt of a donkey, the people celebrated His entry with celebrity status. They had heard of this Jesus, maker of miracles, and waved palm branches and yelled “Hosanna”. I’m not sure everyone in the crowd was a firm believer in His teachings. I am sure many of them got caught up in the spectacle, as we did being Canadians on Independence Day. It’s all in good fun. Until it wasn’t. Many hoped Jesus was bringing the Jews freedom from oppression. He was, but not in the way they expected. He was their new King, but not in the way they expected. Their celebration quickly turned to accusation. The next time Jesus was eyed by onlookers in the streets… it was carrying His cross.

Big public displays of celebration carry a lot of emotions. Crowds can get frenzied up… for good or bad. Human nature wants us to believe in something. Fireworks make me think of patriotism to our country and the freedoms we have in it. Birth announcements, parties, family gatherings all give us a chance to reminisce not only about the past, but look forward to what future generations will celebrate in time. Make sure it’s safe. God’s plan is often different than our own, and we can get caught up in thinking one way, when life leads us in a different direction sometimes.

Either way, God gives us a sprinkle of light often enough that it’s fun to enjoy it. Celebrate with fireworks! Be the light display in the darkness for all to ooh and awe at! Ka-boom!