Cross and Four Branches

bulletin cover

The phrase “Dies Palmarum” is Latin for Day of Palms. Palm Sunday, the sixth and last Sunday of Lent, marks the beginning of Holy Week. The cover design depicts four palm branches entwined around a cross. The palm branch is symbolic of victory and is used to depict Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The palm branch also symbolizes Christ’s victory over sin through His atoning death on the cross, which is central to the gospel and this image. The knot of palms circling the cross reminds us that Christ’s victory is ever bound to His death, while the extension of the palm branches encourage us as Christians to spread the message of Christ’s victory to the four corners of our earthly world.

Eric Palmquist is an ordained Covenant minister and the director of ministry operations for Newport Covenant Church in Bellevue, Washington. He also edits the Expressions column for the Covenant Companion.