Watch Night Service History
December 29, 2009 in Thoughts by onlinefellowship.org
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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 Year’s 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 Year’s 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 that’s 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 Year’s Eve.
However, there is a reason for the importance of New Year’s 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 “Freedom’s 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 Year’s Eve ever since, praising God for bringing us safely through another year.
It’s been 145 years since that first Freedom’s 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!
your right on it. you would be surprised how many dont know why we do what we do.
Thanks for the comment, please be sure to send the page around so that we can spread the word. The Bible instructs us to be knowledgeable, wise men.
Thanks for the history on watch night service. Some folks try to discredit the purpose or reason we have watch night but I believe after reading our history they would celebrate also because the Lord has brought us from a mighty long way.
Thanks again,
NMiller
Can you submit info about the photo. Year and where it was taken.
Blessings
Thanks for sharing! This is very insightful. I must admit that I was not aware of the history behind watch night services. I have been going to church on new years eve for years. It has always been in my heart to do so. God is so good!
While Freedom Day has contributed to the meaning of Watch Night, it wasn’t the original Watch Night. The tradition was started in the Moravian church, and was carried by John Wesley and the Methodists. Freedom Day reinforced the tradition, and has since added meaning to a time which already focused on our spiritual freedom and redemption to include the physical freedom attained at midnight that night.
Oh, and plenty of churches that aren’t predominantly African American celebrate Watch Night, too.
We all look forward to the coming of our Savior, seeking forgiveness for our past, and guidance for our future so that one day we may see Him coming in the clouds. For this we watch.
snopes.com/holidays/newyears/watchnight.asp
My writing below yours was written early this morning, but I never pressed post! lol I hope you can get to my own treatise on the matter. All the best in the new year. Peace
When I read this brief history of Watch Night, I was simultaneously transported back to the presence of my ancestors awaiting the good news of emancipation AND the front row seat in my present day church remembering from whence we’ve come. The moment was fleeting, however, because in my zeal to garner information to share with my parishioners tonite, I came upon a website with a slightly different bend on the history of Watch Night:
snopes.com/holidays/newyears/watchnight.asp
I was immediately drawn in because of the heading which preceded a reprint of RIVERANGEL42′s very words: “FALSE!” This piece, written by Barbara and David P. Mikkelson was making scurrilous claims about a tradition that informs the deepest sense of our social standing in these United States of America. It was one more nefarious attack upon “all things black” by people of presumed european ancestry. Or was it…
After composing myself, I decided to undertake a more critical examination of the Mikkelson writing and why it disturbed me so. Many things occurred to me along the way, though the following points seemed most relevant. Because of our experience in coming to America, including the loss of so many things germane to our African ancestry, black folk have created hybrid forms of many things rooted in european ancestry. Religious belief/practice comes to mind most quickly. Consider the AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church born of the Free African Society under Richard Allen/Absalom Jones which came out of the St. George Methodist Church in Philadelphia and by extension John Wesley and the Church of England in the late 18th century. One could say the same for the Baptists, Church of God In Christ, Christian Methodist Church (CME), and other denominations typically recognized as “the black church.”
Immediately, a question came to the fore: “Should we abandon Watch Night and other elements of our religious praxis simply because of their european roots? I think not! Here’s why: interaction between various cultures lends itself unavoidably to the interweaving or adoption of those elements from the influencing culture that feed the spirit of their own. This adoption or co-opting of culture does not devalue the integrity of its hybrid form. This hybrid seeks to embody those things that are distinctly that of the reforming culture; making it their own. No harm done! (John Wesley would say)
To close, truth is truth! It is inescapable if all or reasonable doubt can be extinguished. I greatly appreciate the additional historical information provided by the Mikkelsons. That being said, I would submit the manner in which the Mikkelson writing chose to frame your writing was improper. I would have said your brief was perhaps incomplete from a historical perspective. Yet, I believe your brief was not meant to be a full historical exposition but specifically aimed at capturing the spirit of that which is important to people of color. I feel better now. And so, tonight we remember and celebrate! Many thanks…
This should remain a celebration of our people’s freedom. Some landmarks in our history should NEVER be forget or stop being celebrated. So the next time you think about celebrating New Year’s think about the freedom that should we enjoy.
As we gather together praising God for bringing us safely through another year on december 31 of every year it would be good if Pastor will begin to teach the reason for the first gathering.Teach the history, 145 years ago since that first Freedom’s Eve we should remember what God brought us out of, we as a Black people should never forget what our ancestors endured.We should remember with prayer and praise to God the Father and Jesus Christ our Savior for continued blessings. Praise God, teach the history – remember…..
@askportia African Americans and Watch Night Service, we go but do we know why? http://t.co/GxTpHHz7
#POCgenealogy History of Freedom’s Eve …Watch Night Service.
http://t.co/CuYE4lKC
http://t.co/d9s8E5Hw check it black people
Watch Night Service History | ONLINE FELLOWSHIP – Christian Fellowship, Sermons, Gospel Music, Lyrics http://t.co/aFy0Y6am
Why are you going to Watch Night Service?http://t.co/GxTpHHz7
For ppl who don’t know much black history, here’s the origin of watch night service: http://t.co/x0sUrljO #unknownblackhistoryfact
I did not know the reason for watch nite services but found it important in my life.
Watch Night Service History | ONLINE FELLOWSHIP – Christian Fellowship, Sermons, Gospel Music, Lyrics http://t.co/EL7JINez
Watch Night History – Dec 31, 1862, known as “Freedom’s Eve” at midnight slaves in Confederate States were legally free http://t.co/8eyWpNaY