Saturday, January 3, 2009

new year's eve, evening

watch night service.

i always wondered what it meant.
but i think that we are watching the old year end
and the new one begin,
in joyful unity
with our brothers and sisters
in the family of God.

so at 7:00 in the evening
we gathered for a service.
young families
and older couples and singles.
we lifted our voices in praise to the Lord
who brought us through the year.
the leader brought his testimony of salvation,
highlighted with slides from the time of his conversion.
others witnessed of the ways God had cared for them
this past year.

we gathered for a late evening meal;
homemade noodle soup,
cheese and crackers,
ginger snaps and pumpkin dip,
coffee or hawaiian punch.

sweet fellowship and goodwill abounded
as we played different board games.
laughter rippled back and forth wherever the young people were.
groups gathered,
the younger and elder,
male and female,
more educated and less educated,
different races,
different social levels
believers and unbelievers,
brought together
for the purpose of exalting Christ.

oh, i understand
that not everyone comprehended that purpose--
the small children,
the lost.


but the clear evidence of the fruit of the Spirit
was glorious to see.

3 comments:

Christina said...

better than you think. ; ) Love ya.

Anonymous said...

What a great way to start the new year- thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Dear Tammie,

I see I left TWO post on “new year's eve, afternoon”. At the time of my second visit, I was in a hurry to get off the computer, and I did not look at the title of the post or realize that it was one I had already read.

Now I have some time, and I am happy to be catching up on your blog posts.

What a happy post this is! You always amaze me with your writing; it is easy to read and so well written…I am humbled…greatly!

I thank you for your friendship.

Love, Hope :)