🕛 What is Watch Night Service? 🕛

Illustration Of a Black Church during a Watch Night (New Year's Eve) Celebration [Getty Images]

Watch Night services around the world are getting ready to begin. They typically start at 7pm and end at Midnight. As you scroll through your phones, seeing these Church invites, you might be wondering, "What is Watch Night Service?"

If you are anything like me, you might think, "Why on earth would a church (typically an African-American Church) risk having their congregation out so late? The dangerrrrrr... "(Hahaha, okay, okay, a bit dramatic, I know) OR you might be thinking, "Why do people call it 'Watch Night Service' instead of the more commonly accepted phrase 'New Years' Eve Service'?"

And for those of you who are already rolling their eyes, thinking that I should have already known the answers to these questions, whelp, I didn't! I grew up in a Church in Brockport that did not have Watch Night Services.

But, thanks to a recent email I received from a friend, I got a much needed History lesson. In a nutshell, here is what I learned:

Watch Night Service is a beautiful New Year's Eve tradition deeply rooted in African American history.

It dates back to December 31, 1862, when enslaved and free African Americans gathered to await news of the Emancipation Proclamation taking effect. Just a few months earlier, in September 1862, President Lincoln announced that enslaved people in the Confederate States would be freed. But this wouldn't start until January 1, 1863.

Imagine the anticipation as people waited for the clock to strike midnight on New Year's Eve. They prayed, worshipped, sang, and danced as they waited for midnight and the long awaited promise of freedom.

Today, Watch Night service is a time for prayer, reflection, and celebration. It is a moment to remind us that whatever was a burden to you in 2024, at midnight, you can leave it behind and enjoy your freedom as you step into 2025. It's a powerful tradition of renewal and hope.

So whether you're attending a service or marking the occasion in your own way, take a moment to reflect on the past year and look forward to the new one with hope and determination.

Happy New Year, everyone! 🎉

Make 2025 a great one!

Reference: https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-watch-night