Holy Week: 5 ways to celebrate Easter, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Maundy Thursday at home
Until the coronavirus pandemic swept the globe it really seemed unimaginable to spend Holy Week at home.
During Holy Week, Christians recall the events leading up to Jesus’ death by crucifixion and, according to their faith, his Resurrection. The week includes five days of special significance. The first is Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus’ humble entry (on a donkey) into Jerusalem to observe Passover.
While followers may not be able to celebrate in houses of worship or with fellow congregants there are still several ways to observe some of the holiest days of the year—at home.
- Schedule your live streams. You can have church anytime, anywhere. Set a schedule for all the services you’re planning to attend and queue up your devices for the best viewing experience.
- Create a sacred space. You already have a place to work. Why not find a spot for worship? Find a quiet place to establish routine, while you turn down the noise and invite God’s presence in. It’s also a place to help settle your mind, while you pray, read, journal, study and/or meditate on daily readings and scriptures.
- Start a new devotional (alone or with loved ones). Refresh your soul and catch up on the Passion narrative with a renewed focus on the events leading up to Jesus’ resurrection.
- Plan acts of kindness. Show the love of God to your neighbors with notes and cards of kindness. Paint rocks for their yards or leave hopeful messages written in sidewalk chalk.
- Celebrate in a big way. Dress up if you want. Decorate for spring and put on a worship playlist. Schedule a virtual hangout. Set the table in style. Make your favorite recipes or order takeout. For kids, plan games, activities, crafts, and baskets that teach the message of Jesus.