Half Cent Watch Night Party

How exciting to prepare for the long New Year's Eve night activities! Everyone would gather in the fellowship hall of the church for a covered dish supper - we were there for set up at 4 pm.

I loved covered dish suppers. There was always Mrs. Putnam's home made tapioca pudding - so light, creamy and fluffy you could eat a barrel full and think you were in heaven. And Mrs. Hayes' home made white cake with coconut frosting - oh, man. And the Mrs. Bearis' pastries were to die for. I have never tasted anything like it since - Hungarian as I recall. And the usual goulash, scalloped potatoes, fresh yeast rolls, real butter, green bean casseroles, Jello, - I can smell the amazing aromas even now, all mixed in with coffee, tea, and Koolaid.

I would eat and eat and eat until I could barely breathe. What a treat not to worry about whether all the brothers and sisters were getting their fair share. This was a smorgasbord of all-you-want. We kids sat at little tables and chowed down while the adults took their time, interspersing eating with conversation.

After we ate, the game tables were set up and we got to play checkers, chess, Monopoly, Parcheesi and other board games with adults! It was so much fun beating them (and seeing them grin because we both knew they allowed it).

Most of the time, I managed to get out of the game playing, unless some adult insisted that I play. I preferred running around and investigating all the little closets and crannies of the grand old building, playing in the sand box, and watching the babies get fed their bottles. I was free to go wherever I wanted and nobody bothered me or worried over me.

Eventually, my Dad would ring the bell and we would wind up our activities and head into the sanctuary to end the old year and begin the new in prayer. We started out with a hymn and a Scripture reading and a short meditation. Then we commenced praying silently and out loud as a group.

This was the hardest part for me. I struggled to keep my eyes open during the long and drawn out praying the adults did. I knew I was supposed to be repenting of my sins and waiting on God to direct me in the upcoming year's activities. But my head would drop down, then jerk up with a start as I dozed off mid thought. Sometimes I knelt, just because I was so tired and it was easier to pretend to be awake from a kneeling position.

The men's voices would drone on and on and on and at some point, I fell deep asleep. All of Mom's poking and pinching could not keep an eager child awake. When at last the praying was over, everyone greeted each other with wishes for a Happy New Year. Mom would rouse us and wriggle us into our coats, pushing us out into the cold night air and into the chilly car for the ride home.

I groaned and cried and stumbled along, shivering and whining. Not an auspicious start to the new year. I just wanted to be snuggled down in my own little bed and left alone. Yet every year I looked so forward to the Watch Night service. In my teens and twenties, this ritual took on much more significance, and now that there are no more Watch Night services, I miss them.

I do my own version of them at home alone, but I no longer wait for 11:30 to begin. I simply make my peace with God before bed, reaching out in prayer and song and Scripture, connecting with the most important person last in the old year and first in the new.

I wish you a great 2011, and a tight connection with the good Lord that lasts you all year.