The holiday season in our nation is marked by parades. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City has traditionally defined the beginning of the season. Since 1924 people have enjoyed this parade that is now synonymous with large balloon characters floating above the crowds. The parade has also been associated with the beginning of the Christmas season by concluding with Santa Claus' opening public appearance for the season.
On the other hand (and other coast of America) the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on New Year's Day marks the end of the holidays. In addition to the magnificent floats completely covered in live flowers and other natural materials, this parade is noted for the significance and prominence of its grand marshals. Being a grand marshal of the Rose Parade is more than an honor, it is a statement that you have achieved significance in our culture. A list of grand marshals over the past fifty years of Rose Parades includes everyone from Presidents to movie stars. You'd have to be totally out of touch with today's culture to not recognize these grand marshals.
Parades are wonderful events, but today's parades with all of their glitz and glamour (and multi-million dollar budgets) don't compare to the simple and impromptu parade recorded in today's Gospel reading. What makes this parade superior to all other parades is it's "grand marshal." This person can't be compared to Macy's Santa Claus or the Rose Parade's list of celebrities because He is so far greater than all of them combined. Yet most people then, like most people now, didn't know who this person was and is. "Who is this?" they asked as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. Sadly, people still don't have a clue.
But you have been called by God to know the One who rode into Jerusalem in that parade of long ago. And you know Him as "grand marshal" of your life because He has entered your heart to mark a beginning for you. Not the beginning of a holiday season nor the beginning of something else that will quickly pass away, but the beginning of a new life filled with His love — a new life which has no end.
