29/12/2025
Many of us are likely familiar with the concept of "Watch Night Services," where the faithful gather in churches on .
Typically, these services commence between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., culminating at midnight to welcome the . Some individuals attend church before heading out to celebrate, while for others, the church service is the sole event of the evening.
If you’re anything like me, you might have thought that " " was simply a conventional service, perhaps infused with a bit of Afrocentricity due to the intersection of white Christianity and the for this annual occasion. It serves as a traditional means for predominantly white churches to reassure themselves of their inclusivity, despite the underlying realities.
Yet, beyond the contemporary issues of , there exists a significant historical context for the "Watch Night" services within African American communities.
The origins of Watch Night Services in Black congregations date back to December 31, 1862, known as "Freedom’s Eve." On that pivotal night, gathered in and homes nationwide, anxiously awaiting confirmation that the "Emancipation Proclamation" had been enacted. At the stroke of midnight on January 1, 1863, all enslaved individuals in the Confederate States were declared legally free. Upon receiving this news, there were heartfelt prayers, jubilant shouts, and songs of gratitude as people fell to their knees in thanks to . Since that moment, people of color have continued to assemble in churches on New Year’s Eve, praising God for guiding them through another year. Given that racism remains a pervasive issue in , this celebration is, unfortunately, still relevant ... especially for those who do not identify as European.
Over 150 years have passed since that first "Freedom’s Eve," and many of us were never educated about the African American history surrounding "Watch Night." Nevertheless, this tradition continues to unite many each year for largely the same reasons.
It is a tradition in the Black Church in America that five minutes before midnight, men, women and children will kneel, hold hands and pray to God from the present year into the New Year.
(Little Known Black History FB; And, Rev. Joan R. Harrell, Director of Public Communications, Trinity United Church of Christ; Host and Producer, "Empowering Voices")
