There’s something sacred about pausing at the threshold of a new year—acknowledging where you’ve been, mourning what you’ve lost, and standing in hope for what’s ahead. For many, Watch Night services are that sacred pause, a deep communal breath before stepping into the unknown. Some have no idea what Watch Night is.  
 
The tradition, which has its roots in the Moravian church in the early 18th century, was soon adopted by John Wesley and the Methodist revival movement. Wesley’s vision for New Year’s Eve wasn’t about fireworks or champagne toasts. Instead, he called his followers to “covenant renewal” services, where they could reflect on their spiritual lives and recommit to walking faithfully with God. The term Watch Night emerged from the practice of staying vigilant in prayer, watching the old year pass while embracing the promise of the new. This practice comes from Matthew 26:41: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 
 
But in America, Watch Night became far more than just a Moravian or Methodist tradition. On December 31, 1862, as the Civil War raged, enslaved African Americans gathered in churches and secret spaces for what became known as Freedom’s Eve. They were waiting for Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation to take effect at midnight, legally freeing enslaved people in Confederate states. That night, their prayers weren’t just hopeful; they were desperate. Their songs weren’t just joyful; they were defiant. And when the clock struck 12:00, the celebration was “turnt up,” as the young’uns say.   
 
At that point, Watch Night was procured for new purposes. For African American churches, it became a yearly ritual of remembrance and renewal—honoring the ancestors who prayed and fought for freedom while acknowledging the ongoing struggles for justice and dignity.   
 
Today, Watch Night services vary widely, but the core remains the same: reflection, gratitude, and hope. Some churches host vibrant celebrations with worship, testimonies, and preaching that crescendo as midnight approaches. Others mark the moment with quiet prayer, Communion, or candlelight ceremonies. Across traditions, it’s a time to pause and recognize God’s faithfulness in the past while seeking His guidance for the year ahead.  
 
As we watch and pray, many will carry grief and pain into the next year. Some have lost loved ones. Some will carry the anxiety of a new administration entering office. As Jesus tells Peter, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” 
 
Before we take action, let us reflect on God’s goodness to supply us with the tools we need to be ambassadors of good going into the next year. And like the enslaved people of 1862, let Watch Night be a reminder that we live between the “already” of God’s promises and the “not yet” of their complete fulfillment. It’s a space to sit in that tension, grounded in faith and propelled by hope.