Tuesday, December 31, 2019

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 30, 2019

Thank You, Google!



I Love It!


Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Merry Christmas!



MATTHEW 2:10 (KJV)
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding joy!


Friday, December 20, 2019

The Lord Will Guide Your Way



Have you ever been falsely accused or lied about? If you want to turn your heart around, pray this prayer...

🙏🏾 Dear Loving God, thank you for another day of life. Today, I seek a change of heart. I was wrongfully blamed for something and it weighs heavily on my heart. Today, I seek a change of heart. I suffer from my hardness. Please change me Lord. I know that only You can do this. Amen.

If you are ready to speak the truth as graciously as possible, pray this prayer...

🙏🏾 Dear Lord, has it come to this? Is there any chance at all? Or is all hope lost? Please show me Lord, once again as you have in days past. Show me Lord Your power and Your glory. May Your Spirit fill my spirit. Let me rise up again and be strong in Christ, for I know all control is Yours alone. Amen.

If you’re looking for a prayer that focused on the Lord, not on you or your accusers, turn to this simple prayer...

🙏🏾 Dear Lord, let the truth come out and let Your will be done. I pray that I keep my focus on you and you alone. Amen.

If you are open and ready to pray for the person who accused you, pray this simple prayer...

🙏🏾 Dear God, if I hurt others, give me strength to apologize. If people hurt me, give me strength to forgive. Amen.

If you’re ready to fight against becoming a victim, pray this prayer...

🙏🏾 Dear Lord, today I feel weary and worn. I want to obey You but I have clung desperately to hope and still feel hopeless. Please strengthen my heart today, renew Your vision for my life and the joy of my salvation. I fix my eyes on You and look to You alone for my help, my hope, my strength and my deliverance. Amen.

If you’re ready for God to help you find security and freedom in Him alone, turn to this prayer...

🙏🏾 Heavenly Father, I may not understand why some people do the things they do or how everything will work out, but I trust You. I don’t see a way, but I know You will make a way. I have faith at this very moment You are touching hearts, opening doors and lining up the right breaks and opportunities. Things may look dark and bleak now, but I have faith that my dawn is coming. Amen.

No matter what others say about us falsely, we can rely on God’s Word and trust that God will be beside us to get us through every trial.


Thursday, December 19, 2019

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Breaking News!




And, the award 🏆 for 2019 Quote of the Year definitely goes to Ms. Willie Murphy! "If it's my time to go to hell, I'm taking him (burglar) with me!" YGG!


Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Sights of the Season




Saturday, December 14, 2019

⏰ Quality Time w/ The Grands



Breakfast @ McDonald's Before Karate Class!


Posing w/ Pop-Pop!


Saturday, December 7, 2019

⏰ Quality Time w/ The Grands



Going to Breakfast @ McDonald's Before Karate Class!


Karate Class w/ Sensei Connor @ AmeriKick-Andorra! 



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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