Spoken word by the spiritual poet

Watchnight was born on the eve of December 31, 1862, where enslaved and free African Americans gathered in secret with bated breath in great anticipation for Emancipation Proclamation’s clarion call to ring freedom’s bell from every mountain side, ocean to ocean at the dawn of 1863.

To Christians Watchnight was born over two thousand years ago, when Christ was crucified for our trespasses and sins, buried, rose on the third day for our justification, and ascended to the Father’s right hand, and now we wait at Watchnight with bated breath in great anticipation for his second coming in the latter days.

“Watchnight, A Celebration of Freedom’s Eve, Salvation, and His Second Coming“

Over two thousand years ago watchnight was born when Christ took on our sin debt, was crucified, buried, and rose on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and ascended to the Father’s right hand. Ever since His ascension, we gather at watchnight with burning anticipation, worship, and in song for His second coming in the latter days. For Scripture says, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

Therefore, we will not be afraid, and our hearts will not be troubled as we remain in the strong tower. For at watchnight, we wait patiently in the strong tower from all harm and all alarm with great assurance and expectancy in celebration and song for His second coming. At watchnight, we stand sound and safe in the hiding place. At watchnight, we stand sound and safe in the secret place, and at watchnight, we stand sound and safe in the refuge and fortress. For tonight, we are standing on holy ground in the presence of a holy GOD where His name dwells. Scripture says, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”

Yes, it is in the upper room of the strong tower–our hiding place. Yes, it is in the upper room of the strong tower–our secret place. And yes, it is in the upper room of the strong tower–our refuge and fortress that we join in concert with the mighty, mighty cosmic chorus from which the sun, moon, and morning stars began. We lift up our heads with the ancient gates and ancient doors to the Ancient of Days and matchless King of glory. The High King of heaven who dwells in unapproachable light shrouded in thick darkness, flashings of lightning, and peals of rumbling thunder is here. We give Him Jubilee praise! We give Him Judah praise! And we give Him Pentecost praise! For He has breathed a searing song in our soul today and like fire shut up in our bone, we cannot be quiet, and we won’t be quiet. Therefore, we open the ancient gates of paragon praise, as we sing a new song to Him who sits on glory’s celestial seat.
We sing our faith!
We sing our joy!
We sing our peace!
We sing our hope!
And we sing our trust in God alone, Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone, and Yeshua Messiah–Christ alone. For He turns our valley of death and dirge into dancing. He turns our valley of brokenness and pain into bold beautiful blessings, and He turns our valley of deep sorrow and mourning into triumphant, jubilant, sublime joy that is unspeakable and full of glory. So, at watchnight, we wait with patient endurance, for His glorious return with great anticipation. Because to us, watchnight is a celebration of freedom’s eve, salvation, and His second coming.