The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

WHILE THERE are many who prepare to get dressed in their shiniest gear to ring in the new year around town - others take part in a different, but very popular, tradition in the country: attending a Watch Night Service on New Year’s Eve.

Even if only for the final hour, persons of Christian faith take the time out with family and friends to attend a church service to reflect on the past year and prepare for the new one ahead.

Rev Angela Palacious tells Tribune Religion a Watch Night Service is also an opportunity to not only say goodbye to the old year - but to welcome the new year on your knees in prayerful anticipation of the future.

She says the service allows for the confession of past sins and repentance, leaving the past behind and helping make amends in an effort to do better in the future. It is a time to ask for God’s wisdom and guidance.

“For us in the Anglican Faith, a Eucharist Mass is held to complete the year in worship, and begin the new year in like manner with lessons, hymns, prayers and The Eucharist. The darkened church at midnight allows for only candles to light up the sanctuary as prayers are prayed out loud. It is a wonderful way to draw closer to God, family and church family. It makes faith a focus for the new year,” said Rev Palacious.

One Catholic Church member, Alice Finley, said attending a Watch Night service has been a part of her family’s tradition as far back as she can remember.

“I attended as a child with my siblings and parents, and now I attend with my very own children, husband and loved ones,” Ms Finley said. “I am an island girl so this was always something so big for us to do on the island – it was, and still is exciting. No matter what plans we have arranged before the service, or after, we make time to ring in the new year in the walls of a church.

“What was also fun for my sister and I as kids was to hear the ‘watch-man’ sound off the hour of the night. The silence that followed, and the worship that came after. It made me feel so warm inside to make it, to be alive and to know that God still loves even me, no matter what,” she added

Minister Felicia Archer of Fresh Fire Ministries said she believes the term “Watch Night” has been misinterpreted by many people in today’s society.

“When we hear the term watch night, people automatically assume it means to look out for the return of Jesus Christ or they think it is the ‘night’ He’s coming back. But watch night for people of faith simply means a time of corporately coming together to reflect, repent, and renew,” she said.

Like Rev Palacious, Minister Archer said a Watch Night Service represents a time of reflection. She went on to say life is an interesting mixture of good and bad, victories and defeats, successes and failures, pain and joy and with every new year no matter a person’s status in life, they will experience each.

“It is a time to think about everything that you overcame, went through and conquered. It is also a celebratory service and one of thanksgiving. It represents a time of giving thanks to God for the gift of life, and for the victories you have won in the past year. The Psalmist David has declared ‘Oh give thanks unto the Lord for He is good’. It is during this time of ‘Thanksgiving’ we come into realisation that we never would have made it throughout the year without the provision, protection and grace of God almighty. It is a time to thank God for personal victories and cooperate victories,” said Minister Archer.

She believes the service also allows a time of renewal and repentance of personal sins and shortcomings, and a time of renewing personal vows to the Lord.

“It is a time that we take an introspective look at ourselves and make life altering decisions to start fresh. It is my view that this part of the service is the most important simply because it gives not only the Christian believer an opportunity to renew their vows to the Lord but also the backslider or the person that needs to give their life to the Lord. It is a time in the service that everyone from the pastor to the members can participate,” said Minister Archer.

Her advice for persons who have never attended a Watch Night Service before but would like to, is to listen carefully to the Word of the Lord, the instructions and directions as it would come from the speaker that night.

“In every church and denomination the format of watch night service is different. No two churches do it the same way although there might be similarities in traditions. Generally speaking, the person should expect a celebratory atmosphere filled with music, praise and thanksgiving, bright colours, fellowship, intercession, and a powerful word from the Lord in preparation for the new year. Some churches will include the liturgical dance ministry into the service, a prophet to declare the word of the Lord or even invite a Junkanoo group to join in the celebration after the service,” she said.