However, this decree, known as the Emancipation Proclamation, would not take effect until the stroke of midnight heralding the new year. This historical background sets the stage for the annual Watch Night services that are still observed each New Year's Eve in many multiracial and predominantly Black churches across the country.

The significance of Watch Night services goes beyond the commemoration of freedom from slavery. It is also a celebration of faith, community, and perseverance. The National Museum of African American History and Culture explains that during the time of slavery, enslaved Black people could find little respite from surveillance, even in practicing their faith. Enslavers feared that religion, which was often used to quell slave resistance, could incite the exact opposite if practiced without observance. Therefore, gathering for Watch Night services allowed African Americans to worship and express their faith in a way that was both meaningful and safe.

The Watch Night worship services have evolved over the past 160 years. A common practice is congregants bowing in prayer minutes before midnight, singing out "Watchman, watchman, please tell me the hour of the night." The minister then replies, "It is three minutes to midnight," "it is one minute before the new year," and finally, "it is now midnight, freedom has come." This symbolic exchange represents the anticipation and celebration of the new year and the freedom it brings.

Traditionally, Watch Night services were followed by a "fortuitous meal" on New Year's Day. One dish commonly served is Hoppin' John, which consists of black-eyed peas, rice, red peppers, and salt pork. It is believed to bring good fortune to those who eat it. Other common dishes include candied yams, cornbread, potato salad, and macaroni and cheese.

This year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, some Watch Night services will be conducted virtually, with no in-person attendance. Churches such as Beulah Baptist Church in Philadelphia and First Congregational Church in Atlanta have chosen this option to ensure the safety of their congregants. However, there are still many churches offering in-person services, including Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, Reid Temple AME Church in Glenn Dale, and Shiloh Baptist Church in Trenton.

Among the notable Watch Night services this year is the interfaith service at Union Baptist Church in Salem, North Carolina. Led by the Reverend William Barber II, a prominent anti-poverty and social justice activist, and senior pastor Sir Walter Mack, the event is billed as a "service of lament, hope, and call to action." It serves as a reminder that the fight for justice and equality continues, even as we celebrate the progress made.

The Associated Press religion coverage, including the reporting on Watch Night services, receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP takes full responsibility for the content produced.