Friday, December 31, 2010

Watch Night



The following information was actually written as an essay by Charyn D. Sutton, The Onyx Group, in December 2000 and revised in August 2004. The essay appears here in its entirety...

If you grew up in a black community in the United States, you 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 7:00pm-10:00pm and ends at 12:00 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 destination.

Like many others, I always assumed that Watch Night was a fairly standard Christian religious service, made a bit more Afrocentric because that's what happens when elements of Christianity become linked with the black church. And yes, there is a history of Watch Night Services in the Methodist tradition.

Still, it seemed that most white Christians 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, in doing some research, I discovered there are two essential reasons for the importance of New Year's Eve services in African American congregations. Many of the Watch Night Services in black communities that we celebrate today can be traced back to gatherings held on December 31, 1862, also known as "Freedom's Eve."

On that night, Americans of African descent came together in churches, gathering places, and private homes throughout the nation, anxiously awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had become law. Then, at the stroke of midnight, it was January 1, 1863 and according to President Abraham Lincoln's promise, all slaves in the Confederate States were legally free. People remained in churches and other gathering places, eagerly awaiting word that Emancipation had been declared. When the actual news of freedom was received later that day, there were prayers, shouts of joy, and songs of praise as people fell to their knees and thanked God.

But even before 1862 and the possibility of a Presidential Emancipation, African people had gathered on New Year's Eve on plantations across the South. That is because many owners of enslaved Africans tallied up their business accounts on the first day of each new year. Human property was sold along with land, furnishings, and livestock to satisfy debts. Families and friends were separated. Often they never saw each other again in this earthly world. Thus, coming together on December 31 might be the last time for enslaved and free Africans to be together with loved ones.

Black folks in North America have gathered annually on New Year's Eve since the earliest days, praising God for bringing us safely through another year and praying for the future. Certainly, those traditional gatherings were made even more poignant by the events of 1863 which brought freedom to the slaves and the Year of Jubilee.

Many generations have passed since that time and most of us were never taught the significance of gathering on New Year's Eve. Yet, our traditions and faith still bring us together at the end of every year to celebrate once again, "how we got over."

Please pass this information on to your family and friends so that they will know the true history behind the tradition we call "Watch Night".

Monday, December 27, 2010

Remember Lady T



Mary Christine Brockert (March 5, 1956 – December 26, 2010), better known by her stage name Teena Marie, she was an American singer, songwriter, and producer. She was known as Tina before taking the stage name Teena Marie, then she later acquired the nickname of Lady T, given to her by collaborator and friend, Rick James. She was known for her distinctive soulful vocals which initially caused many listeners to believe she was African-American. Her success in R&B and soul and unwavering loyalty to these genres would earn her the title Ivory Queen of Soul. She played rhythm guitar, keyboards, and congas. She also wrote, produced, sang, and arranged virtually all of her songs since her 1980 release, Irons in the Fire, which she later said was her favorite album.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

My Christmas Toy Story


On Christmas Eve, I was rummaging around in our garage for some extra bows, gift bags, and wrapping paper for a few last-minute gifts. Low and behold, I opened a long-forgotten Hefty trash bag and found these "old friends" that once belonged to my daughter when she was a little girl. Just in case you don't know or remember who these little gems are, they are popular dolls from the 1980's... Cabbage Patch, Kid Sister, Hugga Bunch, and My Child!

Well, I immediately forgot all about the few gifts that needed wrapping and I went to work on these dolls so I could give them to my granddaughter... and just in time for Christmas, I thought! I washed their clothes and did their hair, as best I could. My daughter really did a number on their hair when she last played with them-LOL! Anyway, this is how they looked when I finished with them and I took this photo before they left our home forever. And, on Christmas Day, off they went with me and the hubby to my daughter and son-in-law's house to visit with the grandchildren.

Now, I should explain that these days, my one-and-a-half -year-old granddaughter seems perfectly content with following behind her almost five-year-old big brother and trying to get into everything he is doing (smile)... so, it looks like I might have to wait a while for my little lady to develop an interest in any type of doll-LOL! But, they did bring a warm smile to my daughter's face and she was glad to see them again. It felt good to rescue them from the Hefty trash bag and our cold, dark garage where they sat alone and forgotten for 17+ years. Between my daughter and granddaughter, the dolls can now enjoy laughter, love, and play once again!

Christmas Photos 2010

Merry Christmas!

Celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
with our most treasured gifts of family and friends.
(click on images for larger view)












Friday, December 10, 2010



Watch your step!


This household is protected by Ladybug Home Security.







As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord...


Christian Internet Code of Ethics

As a Christian who is active on the internet,
I hold myself to certain standards of conduct:

  • I guard my online relationships.
  • I am careful to visit websites that do not compromise my life in Christ.
  • I take care that my written communications reflect Christ in my life.
  • I guard my time to assure that my time online is kept in proper balance with the rest of my life.
Visit the home page to view a more detailed version:

The Nazarene Network @ NazNet.com





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