I came across this info and thought it was pretty interesting. WATCH NIGHT SERVICE The Significance of Watch Night Services in the Black Community Many of you who live or grew up in Black communities in the United States have probably heard of Watch Night Services, the gathering of the faithful in church on New Years Eve. The service usually begins anywhere from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and ends at midnight with the entrance of the New Year.Some folks come to church first, before going out to celebrate. For others, church is the only New Years Eve event. Like many others, I always assumed that Watch Night was a fairly standard Christian religious service -- made a bit more Afro centric because thats what happens when elements of Christianity become linked with the Black Church. Still, it seemed that predominately White Christian churches did not include Watch Night services on their calendars, but focused instead on Christmas Eve programs. In fact, there were instances where clergy in mainline denominations wondered aloud about the propriety of linking religious services with a secular holiday like New Years Eve. However, there is a reason for the importance of New Years Eve services in African American congregations. The Watch Night Services in Black communities that we celebrate today can be traced back to gatherings on December 31, 1862, also known as Freedoms Eve. On that night, Blacks came together in churches and private homes all across the nation, anxiously awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation actually had become law. Then, at the stroke of midnight, it was January 1, 1863, and all slaves in the Confederate States were declared legally free. When the news was received, there were prayers, shouts and songs of joy as people fell to their knees and thanked God. Black folks have gathered in churches annually on New Years Eve ever since, praising God for bringing us safely through another year. Its been 141 years since that first Freedoms Eve and many of us were never taught the African American history of Watch Night, but tradition still brings us together at this time every year to celebrate how we got over. PS- Pass this information on so we can educate more of our Family and Friends about our History! Peace and Blessings
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 01:41:43 +0000
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