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pril 2nd- 8th (Sunday thru Saturday) marks the dates of this year’s celebration of Holy Week, culminating with the Resurrection/Easter Celebration on Sunday, April 9th. Many churches and denominations acknowledge the events of the week in variations according to the scriptures. Communion, Good Friday services, creating images of the cross with palms to place on the garments of believers and preparing traditional Easter Sunday dinner. As families/believers across the world prepare for Resurrection Sunday, the preparation for Holy Week is often overshadowed by preparations for Easter Sunday. Beauty and barber shops are blessed, booked and busy as people plan to attend Easter Sunday service. But why don’t believers prioritize preparing for Holy Week as they do for Easter Sunday? After all, Holy Week is the time period when believers honor the acts of Jesus Christ before His crucifixion. Take a look below.

Palm Sunday (April 2nd). The Sunday before Jesus’ journey to the cross where He humbly entered Jerusalem, knowing what was ahead of Him, on a donkey while being welcomed and greeted by the people.

Maundy Thursday (April 6th). A number of events took place on Maundy Thursday that taught lifelong lessons and represented so much of how and why believers should remember the sacrifice Christ made. Preparation for the Passover, The Last Supper or the Lord’s Supper, Jesus washing the feet of His disciples, Jesus established the Lord’s Supper or communion, and betrayal.

Good Friday (April 7th). The Friday before Easter Sunday. The day when believers commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus on Calvary. On this day, Jesus humbly fulfilled His purpose and gave His life for the sins of mankind. Holy Saturday (April 9th). The day after Good Friday and the day before Resurrection Sunday. This day is typically commemorated by meditating on how dark the world would be if Christ had not sacrificed His life for the sins of the world. This day (for many) also marks the end of the Lenten season.

As you reflect on the events of each day, what will you do? How will you honor these days on your spiritual journey? How will you prepare in advance to commemorate each day? If you don’t know where to start, here are a few ways.

• Make each day personal. Reflect on the events that occurred, what they mean to you on a personal level and how you will adopt the character traits in your life as daily habits. Ask yourself how you can be more intentional about the way you will follow the example of Christ during Holy week every day. How will you serve others beyond Holy Week? How will you exemplify humility as Jesus did by washing the feet of His disciples? These acts and characteristics are essential to the journey of discipleship and should become a part of the believers’ lifestyle.

• Have personal and private devotion that focuses on growing closer to Christ.

• Designate a time of prayer the week before Holy Week where you ask for guidance on how you can become more like Christ and exemplify His character during adversity.

• Read and closely study the scriptures that give an account of each event that occurred during Christ’s journey to the cross. Doing this will allow you to delve deeper into the characters of the disciples who walked alongside Jesus as well as a deeper understanding of how Jesus handled them with love.

• Prepare your schedule in advance to participate in Holy Week activities at church. Daily life is filled and busy with many responsibilities. However, all schedules can be rearranged to participate and delve into Holy Week activities. Making it a priority in advance will allow you to receive what Christ wants you to receive from it, and not simply go through each day as a formality.

• Think about ways you can humbly serve others during Holy Week in preparation for it. You can serve your loved ones, colleagues, members of your church and members of your surrounding community to imitate Christ’s humility on Maundy Thursday.

These are just a few ways you can prepare for Holy Week in advance to ensure you have a spirit-filled and meaningful week. Many times believers focus solely on Easter Sunday because of the lavish celebrations that come along with it, as well as the way society markets it. But as believers, it is important to remember the events that led up to the great day of resurrection and remember what Jesus did and how He did it.

Liz Lampkin is the “Wright Now Writer”. She creates Faith and Lifestyle articles to give a voice to the unheard. Follow her on social media @Liz_Lampkin.