One of the pleasant memories many of us share of New Year’s Eve is a watchnight service at church. We would gather for a covered dish dinner in the fellowship hall after the sun had set. Then after dinner we would have entertainment, perhaps sitting in groups at card tables playing games, or laughing at talent night skits from individuals or families, or an old-fashioned hymn sing, and even sharing testimonies of God’s goodness. Then at 11:00 we would move into the sanctuary, still filled with Christmas decorations from the week before. The pastor would lead us in a reflective, devotional service, with a sermon appropriate to the occasion.
Afterward, the lights would be slightly lowered as we celebrated the Lord’s Supper, giving thanks for God’s mercies in the passing year and trusting Him for the same in the year ahead. And at midnight, we would not be raising champagne glasses and singing “Auld Lang Syne,” but rather coming forward to the chancel steps to kneel in prayer as we sang a quiet hymn like “Another Year Is Dawning,” then spending a few moments in silent prayer before leaving calmly, greeting one another with a holy kiss on the way out (or maybe just a holy hug!) before driving home.