Watchnight service

File:Wels new years eve church service.jpg

A watchnight service (also called Watchnight Mass) is a late-night Christian church service. In many different Christian traditions, such as those of Moravians, Methodists, Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Baptists, Adventists and Reformed Christians, watchnight services are held late on New Year's Eve, which is the seventh day of Christmastide. This provides the opportunity for Christians to review the year that has passed and make confession, and then prepare for the year ahead by praying and resolving.{{cite book|author=James Ewing Ritchie|url = https://archive.org/details/religiouslifelo00ritcgoog|page=[https://archive.org/details/religiouslifelo00ritcgoog/page/n238 223]| title = The Religious Life of London|year=1870|publisher = Tinsley Brothers|access-date = 28 December 2011|quote=At A Watch-Night Service: Methodism has one special institution. Its lovefeasts are old-old as Apostolic times. Its class meetings are the confessional in its simplest and most unobjectionable type, but in the institution of the watch-night it boldly struck out a new path for itself. In publicly setting apart the last fleeting moments of the old year and the first of the new to penitence, and special prayer, and stirring appeal, and fresh resolve, it has set an example which other sects are preparing to follow.}} The services often include singing, praying, exhorting, preaching, and Holy Communion.{{cite book|author=Anna M. Lawrence|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=94bTO6O2bDAC&q=watchnight+service&pg=PA104| title = One Family Under God: Love, Belonging, and Authority in Early Transatlantic Methodism|date=5 May 2011|publisher = University of Pennsylvania Press|isbn = 978-0812204179|access-date = 28 December 2011|quote=In 1740, Wesley started watch-night services for the coal miners of the Kingswood area, offering this nocturnal worship as a godly alternative to spending their evenings in ale-houses. The watch-night services consisted of singing, praying, exhorting, and preaching for a number of hours. Wesley meant to establish it as a monthly practice, always at full moon to keep the meeting well lit. In America, this service often supplanted times of traditional drunken revelry, like New Year's Eve and Christmas Eve.}}

Watchnight services can take the form of Watchnight Covenant Renewal Services, Watchnight Vespers services, Watchnight Vigil services, or Watchnight Masses. As Watchnight services bring in the New Year by glorifying God, they are seen by many Christians as being preferable to "drunken revelry" in popular cultural celebrations that are commonplace in some localities.

In addition to Christian denominational practices, the ethnic customs of Koreans and African Americans have a strong tradition of New Year's Eve watchnight services.

History

The Bible documents that at the time of the Exodus from Egypt, God ordered Moses to "set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation" on "the first day of the first month" ({{Bibleverse|Exodus|40:1|KJV}}).{{cite web |last1=Winfield |first1=Jerry |title=Ideas for a Great New Year's Eve Church Service |url=https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/ideas-great-new-years-eve-church-service |publisher=LifeWay Christian Resources |access-date=3 January 2021 |language=en |date=1 January 2014}}

In Christianity, since the time of the early Church, Christians have held vigils (watchnights) before the celebration of feast days, a practice "inspired by Jesus's example of praying all night before important decisions."{{cite book |last1=Kinghorn |first1=Kenneth C. |title=The Heritage of American Methodism |date=1999 |publisher=Abingdon Press |isbn=978-0-687-05500-5 |page=73 |language=en|quote=Early in church history, Christians held vigils during the evenings before church festivals. These vigils, or watch night services, seem to have been inspired by Jesus's example of praying all night before important decisions.}} At that time, non-Christians of the Greco-Roman world observed the arrival of the New Year with "revelling" and Christians distinguished themselves by instead praying and fasting.{{cite book |last1=Kurtz |first1=Johann Heinrich |last2=Macpherson |first2=John |title=Church History |date=1891 |publisher=Hodder and Stoughton |page=357 |language=en}}

Throughout history, Christian denominations including the Catholic Church, Lutheran Church and Anglican Church have variously observed the eighth day of Christmastide—New Year's Day—as the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ, Feast of the Holy Name and Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, with the evening before having the Vigil Mass (Watchnight Mass) for the feast.{{cite book |last1=Mitchell |first1=Leonel L. |title=Planning the Church Year |date=1991 |publisher=Church Publishing, Inc. |isbn=978-0-8192-1554-3 |page=33 |language=en}}

The Moravian Church came to hold a lovefeast on New Year's Eve, followed by a watchnight service in the evening.{{cite book |title=Transactions of the Moravian Historical Society |date=1902 |publisher=Moravian Historical Society |page=70 |language=en}} These watchnight services last three hours and have been held since they became popular in the Czech Republic in 1733.

After attending a Moravian watchnight service on New Year's Eve in 1738, John Wesley, the father of the Methodist Churches, recorded that "as we were continuing instant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground."{{cite book |last1=Liardon |first1=Roberts |title=God's Generals the Missionaries |date=12 September 2014 |publisher=Whitaker House |isbn=978-1-62911-161-2 |language=en}} The Methodist Churches, strongly influenced by the Moravian Church and Radical Pietism in general, herald the practice of the Watchnight Service, with John Wesley having emphasized that it was "customary with the ancient Christians to spend whole nights in prayer".{{cite book |last1=Vogel |first1=Dwight |last2=Drury |first2=John |last3=Dalles |first3=John |last4=Brumm |first4=James Hart |last5=Switzler |first5=Nancy |last6=LaJoye |first6=Jenny |title=Sacramental Life Volume 31.3: (Ordinary Time 2019) |date=2019 |publisher=OSL Publications |page=17 |language=en}}

The practice of holding watchnight services on New Year's Eve became common throughout Christendom, with many Christian denominations now offering them.{{cite book |last1=Magoffin |first1=E.V.D. |title=Herald and Presbyter |date=10 January 1917 |publisher=Monfort & Company |page=9 |language=en}}

By Christian denomination

=Moravianism=

In the Moravian Church, congregations observe a watchnight service on New Year's Eve, which is preceded by the celebration of the lovefeast.{{cite web |title=Watchnight Service |url=http://ephraimmoravian.org/learn-more/watchnight-service/ |publisher=Ephraim Moravian Church |access-date=11 January 2018 |date=16 January 2011}}{{cite web |title=2018 New Year's Eve Watchnight Lovefeast |url=https://www.moravian.org/southern/2018/12/2018-new-years-eve-watchnight-lovefeast/ |publisher=Moravian Church Southern Province|date=14 December 2018}} The three-hour watchnight service of Moravian Christians traces back to at least 1733.

=Methodism=

Following the lead of the Moravian Brethren who began having "watch" services in 1733, the founder of the Methodist Church, John Wesley, adopted watch night services in 1740, sometimes calling them Covenant Renewal Services.{{cite web|url = http://www.interpretermagazine.org/interior.asp?ptid=43&mid=11612| title = Watch Night services provide spiritual way to bring in New Year|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date = 28 December 2011|quote=Methodism founder John Wesley originated Watch Night services in the mid-18th century, sometimes calling them Covenant Renewal services. The original services were spontaneous prayer services designed to deepen the spiritual life of Methodists.}} The services provided Methodist Christians with a godly alternative to times of drunken revelry, including New Year's Eve. A Methodist watchnight service includes singing, spontaneous prayers and testimonials, as well as scripture readings and Holy Communion; the liturgy for this service, which is held on New Year's Eve, is found in Methodist liturgical books, such as The United Methodist Book of Worship.{{cite web|url = http://www.interpretermagazine.org/interior.asp?ptid=43&mid=11612| title = Watch Night services provide spiritual way to bring in New Year|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date = 28 December 2011|quote=The service is loosely constructed with singing, spontaneous prayers and testimonials, and readings, including the Covenant Renewal service from The United Methodist Book of Worship (pp. 288-294).}}{{cite web |title=Watch Night of Freedom |url=https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/watch-night-of-freedom |publisher=Discipleship Ministries |access-date=1 January 2021 |language=en |date=2007 |quote=The Watch Night service is today most often held on New Year's Eve, sometimes concluding at midnight, or on New Year's Day.}} In Britain, this tradition is preserved in the Covenant Service, and the British Methodist Church lists hymns when this is done as a "Watchnight Service into New Year".{{cite web |title=Hymn suggestions for Watchnight Service into New Year |url=https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/resources/lectionary/hymn-suggestions-for-watchnight-service-into-new-year/ |publisher=Methodist Church of Great Britain |language=en}}

=Lutheranism=

In the Lutheran Churches, Watchnight Masses are celebrated with the purpose of "welcoming the new year with praises to Almighty God."{{cite web |title=Watchnight Service |url=https://bangsarlutheran.org/tag/watchnight-service/ |publisher=Bangsar Lutheran Church |access-date=2 January 2021 |language=en |date=30 December 2015}}

=Catholic Church=

In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, Mass can be held on New Year's Eve into New Year's Day around midnight; these are sometimes called the "Watch Night Mass" or "Watchnight Mass".{{cite web |title=New Year's Eve Watch Night Mass |url=http://lourdesatlanta.org/events/new-years-eve-watch-night-mass/ |publisher=Our Lady of Lourdes Atlanta |date=2015}} The Archdiocese of Nassau has watchnight services at parishes throughout the ecclesiastical territory.{{cite web |title=Christmas & New Year's Mass Schedules |url=http://www.archdioceseofnassau.org/index.php/2-uncategorised/123-christmas-new-year-s-mass-schedules |publisher=Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nassau |language=en |date=20 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113182335/https://www.archdioceseofnassau.org/index.php/2-uncategorised/123-christmas-new-year-s-mass-schedules|archive-date=13 January 2019}}

=Anglicanism=

Many Anglican parishes hold watchnight services, including several cathedrals, among them being Ripon Cathedral, St Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore and Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos.{{cite web |title=WatchNight Service |url=https://www.thecathedrallagos.org/nwsd.php?nrf=310#sthash.HeLmBRz6.dpbs |publisher=Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos|date=31 December 2015}}{{cite web |last1=Priestley |first1=Joe |title=The Season of Advent |url=http://riponcathedral.info/17451-2/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113064504/http://riponcathedral.info/17451-2/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=13 January 2019 |publisher=Ripon Cathedral |date=27 November 2018|quote=On New Year’s Eve our atmospheric Watchnight Service takes place at 11.15pm. The short carol service is followed by a candlelit procession to the Market Square where Bishop Helen-Ann will give a blessing just before midnight and the New Year is brought in with fireworks.}}

The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America contains a liturgy for the Watchnight Service in The Book of Occasional Services.

{{cite web |last1=Lawbaugh |first1=William |title=Bring Back Watchnight |url=https://livingchurch.org/2016/12/30/bring-back-watchnight/ |publisher=The Living Church |access-date=2 January 2021 |language=en |date=30 December 2016}} In The Living Church, Fr. William M. Lawbaugh stated that "Watchnight Services on New Year’s Eve have a lot to offer the Episcopal Church, not only to dispel the ugly notions of alcohol abuse but also to reform ourselves." The Anglican watchnight service includes "lessons, psalms, and collects" as well as Holy Communion.

=Presbyterianism=

File:Watchnight service, Christmas Eve, Old Rattray - geograph.org.uk - 1090549.jpg]]

In the Presbyterian Churches, watchnight services are held on New Year's Eve (Hogmanay); they often include the singing of hymns and the sharing of testimonies by congregants, such as how God has blessed them that year.{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=D. Marion |title=Christmas Highlight: New Year's Eve Watch Night Service |url=https://www.tenth.org/resource-library/blog-entries/christmas-highlight-new-year-s-eve-watch-night-service/ |publisher=Tenth Presbyterian Church |access-date=2 January 2021 |language=en |date=27 December 2013}} St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh, a parish of the Church of Scotland, is known for its New Year's Eve watchnight service.{{fact|date=September 2020}} In the Church of Scotland, a Watchnight service also refers to a popular ceremony marking the beginning of Christmas Day.{{cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article766847.ece | work=The Times | location=London | title=Christmas Eve Christmas Day and Boxing Day Services | date=2005-12-17 | access-date=2010-05-27}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

=Congregationalism=

In many Congregationalist Churches, such as the United Church of Christ, watchnight services are held on the night of New Year's Eve.{{cite web |last1=Hill |first1=J. Lee |title=Watchnight Service—December 31, 2020 - Year B |url=https://www.ucc.org/worship-way/watchnight-service-december-31-2020-year-b/ |publisher=United Church of Christ |access-date=2 January 2021 |language=en |date=2020}}

=Continental Reformed=

The Continental Reformed Churches, such as parishes of the United Reformed Church, offer Watchight Services on New Year's Eve.{{cite web |last1=Bali |first1=Jacob |title=Crossway URC Church |url=https://www.crosswaychurch.org.uk/ |publisher=Crossway United Reformed Church |access-date=2 January 2021 |language=en |quote=New Years’ Eve (Watchnight): live Service at 11.30pm on Zoom}}

=Baptists=

Watchnight services are held on New Year's Eve in many Baptist churches, with a focus on "renewed consecration and drawing nearer to the Saviour".{{cite book |title=The Missionary Herald of the Baptist Missionary Society |date=1898 |publisher=Baptist Missionary Society |page=276 |language=en}}

=Adventism=

In Adventist churches, watchnight services are celebrated on New Year's Eve with "testimonies, praise songs, [and] psalms" in order to "give God thanks for keeping us through a trying year and asking his guidance as we anticipate the new year and Him leading us in that period".{{cite web |last1=Cross |first1=Jason |title=COVID curfew can't cramp watchnight for Adventists |url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20201130/covid-curfew-cant-cramp-watchnight-adventists |publisher=The Gleaner |access-date=3 January 2021 |language=en |date=30 November 2020}}

=Pentecostalism=

Many Pentecostal churches hold watchnight services in the late hours of New Year's Eve.{{cite web |last1=Hinton |first1=John |title=Many churches in Winston-Salem will hold virtual Watch Night services on New Year's Eve |url=https://journalnow.com/news/local/many-churches-in-winston-salem-will-hold-virtual-watch-night-services-on-new-years-eve/article_395cdc2a-4a40-11eb-9ebb-f755cfbe1d61.html |publisher=Winston-Salem Journal |access-date=3 January 2021 |language=en |date=30 December 2020}}

=Orthodox Christian=

In most Russian Orthodox churches as well as in other Orthodox churches of Slavic origin, there is a weekly Vigil. This takes place usually on Saturday evening. It is a combination of Vespers and Matins. A similar arrangement is also used on the eve of most feast days. Usually an Intense Litany is added. On Christmas eve, Epiphany eve and Annunciation eve there is also a Vigil, however it is a combination of Great Compline and Matins. Greek Orthodox churches usually have Vespers in the evening and celebrate Matins before the Divine Liturgy. In some Greek monasteries Vigils are held before major feast days, particularly on the eve before the celebration of the patron saint or event after which the monastery is named.

Ethnic traditions

=African Americans=

File:Carte-de-visite-Watch-Meeting-December-31-1862-Wating-for-the-Hour-African-Americans-Emancipation-Proclamation.jpg

African-American Methodists long celebrated watchnight services as Methodist parishes in the United States, such as St. George's United Methodist Church and Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, held them on New Year's Eve in accordance with Methodist customs.{{cite web |last1=Chism |first1=Jonathan Langston |title=The African American Lectionary |url=http://www.theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupCulturalAid.asp?LRID=184 |publisher=The African American Lectionary |access-date=4 December 2021 |language=English |date=31 December 2010 |quote=The first Methodist Watch night service in the United States probably took place in 1770 at Old St. George’s Church in Philadelphia, a church of which Richard Allen, the founder of the African American Episcopal church, was a member. African American Methodists celebrated Watch Night prior to Freedom’s Eve because Allen and other African Americans celebrated Watch Night Meeting services at St. George’s Church and also at Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. }} Watchnight services gained additional significance and history in the Black churches in the United States, since many African Americans were said to have gathered in churches on New Year's Eve in 1862, on what was called Freedom's Eve,{{Cite web |last=Charles |first=Safiya |date=20 July 2022 |title=The Meaning of Watch Night |url=https://www.southernliving.com/holidays-occasions/watch-night |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=Southern Living |language=en}} to await the hour when President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation was to take effect on January 1, 1863.{{cite web|url = http://www.interpretermagazine.org/interior.asp?ptid=43&mid=11612| title = Watch Night services provide spiritual way to bring in New Year|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date = 28 December 2011|quote=Watch Night took on even more significance during the Civil War. When President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, it was to take effect Jan. 1, 1863. Free and enslaved people gathered the night before, waiting for their freedom to arrive at midnight.}} As such, watchnight services in the Black Church are widely attended.{{cite web |last1=Harrell |first1=Joan R. |title=Watch Night Service In The Black Church In America: 150 Years After The Emancipation Proclamation |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/watch-night-service-in-the-black-church-in-america-150-years-_b_2389965 |work=The Huffington Post |access-date=2 January 2021 |language=en |date=31 December 2012}}

=Korean community=

Korean Christians have a strong tradition of watchnight services on New Year's Eve.{{cite web |title=Watch Night/New Year's Eve Resources |url=https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/watch-nightnew-years-eve-resources |publisher=Discipleship Ministries |access-date=30 December 2020 |language=en |date=2020}}

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20150121185826/http://www.cokesbury.com/pdf/worshipconnection/WatchnightService.pdf Liturgy for Watchnight Service]
[https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/covenant-renewal-service Covenant Renewal Service for Watchnight on New Year's Eve]
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cy1S7Zbxjw Video: Watchnight Service at Fairview Moravian Church]
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQZv2GBQkGE Video: Watchnight Covenant Renewal Service at Trinity Methodist Church]
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFOLDtdHt20 Video: Watchnight Service at St. Agnes Anglican Church]
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0buhuwYdXs Video: Watchnight Service at Trinity Mar Thoma Church]
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeqouGPdWlU Video: Watchnight Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church]
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvFDSE2Lyuo Video: Watchnight Service at Maze Presbyterian Church]

Category:Christian worship and liturgy

Category:New Year celebrations