The Countdown to CrossOver
December 31st is approaching quickly, and as the year winds down, a lot of us are looking forward to the crossover services at our various churches and places of worship.
Over the years, every year people have different traditions for the last day of the year. There are parties, count downs, and events. Some people prefer a quiet night in, and there’s a small group that don’t celebrate it all, choosing to simply sleep through the festivities and wake up “next year.”
For most Christians, we’ve created a culture out of it. We ‘cross over’ into the next year in God’s presence, hence the name, Crossover service, and in our experience, no two services are the same.
Praying Your Way Into The New Year
Some denominations take a prayer-led approach. They battle their way into the new year, praying and casting and binding to ensure a smooth year ahead. It’s a way to exercise authority, entering into the new year with dominance and decrees that go ahead to make things easier.
Dancing Into January
On the other hand, there are praise-based services. Some churches hold thanksgiving and praise services, where they thank God for the year they’ve had, and sing praises, carols and music into the new year!
A Night of Reflection and Renewed Commitment
Also in the mix, we have anointing services. This is a form of crossing over with an anointing that breaks the yoke. They might start out with a communion service; the breaking of bread and wine, before moving into anointing for the new year. In these services, lives properties, families are all anointed and covered ahead of the year.
We can also take a look at redemption services. Found in more traditional denominations, these are services tailored with the intention of starting a new year in Christ.
If you’ve ever seen a movie where it’s night time on the last day of the year, and someone gets the strong urge to finally give their life to Christ and they run into a church to confess their sins and start afresh, that’s where these services come in.
They’re quiet, simple and targeted at building new converts.
Read Also: Our Predictions for AfroGospel in the year 2025
And finally, there are activity services. Different departments in church come up to present and showcase the joy of the season. Children sing, special performances are held, Church officials give stock of the year in terms of programs held, milestones that have been met, and everyone gets a chance to speak.
When The Clock Strikes Midnight
Across each and every service, when the clock strikes midnight, the congregation stops and the shouts of happy new year go out. There are fireworks, clapping singing and overall, it is a joyful experience.
However the route your church service takes, the new year will arrive, and we will cross over with joy. And in the end, that’s what really matters; starting a new year with the joy of fellowship, and a heart full of gratitude to God for the year that has just ended.
And now we want to know. What does your Crossover service look like? Tell us in the comments!
