Thank you for the blessings through 2022!
Saturday, December 31, 2022
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".
Friday, December 30, 2022
🎊 Last Hoorah 2022
Pop-Pop & Oldest Granddaughter
Youngest Granddaughter & Grandson
Grammy, Youngest Granddaughter & Grandson
On this last Friday of the year, we went downtown to a few holiday spots that we haven't been to since the pandemic hit in 2020... Down Home Diner in Reading Terminal for lunch, then on to Macy's for the Christmas Light Show and Dicken's Village. TGIF!
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Monday, December 26, 2022
Sunday, December 25, 2022
Saturday, December 24, 2022
Friday, December 23, 2022
📣 Center For Disease Control
No thanks. Don't want this either!
Click on image to visit CDC website for details.
Click on image to visit CDC website for details.
Thursday, December 22, 2022
🕊 R.I.P. Thomas Randolph Bell
He will always be remembered for the great music he arranged, produced, and/or wrote for Jerry Butler, Phyllis Hyman, James Ingram, Johnny Mathis, Billy Paul, Lou Rawls, Dionne Warwick, Deniece Williams, The Delfonics, The O'Jays, The Spinners, The Stylistics, and others...
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
💯 John Snyder Plumbing & Heating
I opted for 24/7 emergency service because my kitchen sink drain was clogged and the water in the pipe just wouldn't budge. I was fortunate that John Snyder himself came through and saved the day. My experience was efficient and professional from beginning to ending. I received a call back from his office in a timely manner and after I provided the necessary details for the job, I received a text confirmation within minutes that John would be there with an approximate time. I received another text when he was actually heading my way. He was very personable, polite, and professional, and my kitchen sink drain was clear within an hour of his arrival. The cost was affordable and reasonable for quality work, which is what he delivered. After payment, I received a thank you, receipt, and review request via email. This was my first experience with John and I added him to my contacts without hesitation for future business. I strongly encourage you to do the same. Thanks again, John!
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Monday, December 19, 2022
😲 Fighter Jet Over Philly
What I heard sounded like it was right over my house and I called the hubby's attention to it too. It actually made me nervous because it sounded so close and loud--like a plane in distress that might come down any minute. But, the clouds and overcast was so thick when I was looking out of my window, I could only hear the plane. I couldn't see it. Wow!
📺 Go Get Him & Lock Him Up!
Watched the committee refer #45 for criminal
prosecution on four counts today @ 1:00pm. Yes!
prosecution on four counts today @ 1:00pm. Yes!
Sunday, December 18, 2022
🙏🏾 Blest Be The Ties That Bind...
Dear FaithSocial Users,
It is with heavy hearts that we must announce that December 21, 2022 will be FaithSocial's last day of operation.
Over the years, our dedicated team has worked to create an online community where Christians can experience fellowship, prayer, and spiritual growth.
Through lots of prayer and consideration, our team decided that the FaithSocial platform could no longer sustain itself. We continued for as long as we could but are at peace with this path forward.
We so appreciate your love and support in making FaithSocial the thriving community it has been. Our prayer is that it has brought peace, love, and understanding to the world, and that it has enriched your spiritual life. Though this chapter is closing, we are hopeful that something in the spirit of FaithSocial will surface one day and that our shared dreams for an online Christian community will be realized.
The FaithSocialTeam
Footnote: I am a user of FaithSocial and decided to share this December 14, 2022 post from the site on my blog. I'm not sure why religious social media sites are having such a hard time surviving and needless to say, I was so sorry to hear this news. I was relieved when I found the site back in 2018 after searching for an online community to replace Instapray when Facebook took over Instagram. Obviously, the secular social media giant wasn't interested in keeping the sub-site Instapray going, so it was immediately shutdown after the takeover. But, I will continue to pray and trust that another site like Faith Social will surface sometime in the future.
Saturday, December 17, 2022
📣 Center For Disease Control
No thanks. Don't want this either!
Click on image to visit CDC website for details.
Click on image to visit CDC website for details.
Friday, December 16, 2022
🤦🏾♀️ I Just Can't... #WTH
I can NOT believe these digital cards selling for
$99.00 each are actually SOLD OUT! Are you serious?
$99.00 each are actually SOLD OUT! Are you serious?
