Mokokchung’s annual New Year’s Eve “Midnight Service” has long been a celebration of unity and hope, a time when the town gathered at the town square to bid farewell to one year and embrace the promise of another. The announcement by the Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) to no longer host this event feels like the end of an era. It is a decision that resonates with a sense of loss for a tradition that has been part of our lives for over five decades.
The Midnight Service, since its humble beginnings in 1972 under the stewardship of Seasonal Club and with the blessings of the Mokokchung Town Baptist Church, has been more than just an event. It has been a thread in the fabric of our community life, weaving together people from all walks of life under the stars to sing, pray, and celebrate. For many of us, it has marked not just the passing of time but the enduring spirit of Mokokchung, a spirit deeply rooted in community and faith.
Yet, traditions, like all things, face challenges. Recent years have tested the resilience of the Midnight Service, with financial hurdles casting shadows on its future. Despite these challenges, the collective strength of our community shone through. While the MMC’s decision is tinged with regret, it also opens a door to renewal. Its invitation to others to take up the mantle is a call to action, reminding us that traditions are not the sole responsibility of institutions but of the community as a whole.
The Midnight Service may no longer bear the MMC’s banner, but the spirit of Mokokchung has never been defined by a single entity. It is the collective will and love of its people that breathe life into traditions. Let this be an opportunity for a new generation to carry forward the legacy, bringing fresh ideas while preserving the essence of what makes the New Year’s Eve celebration in Mokokchung so special.
In this moment of reflection, let us believe in the enduring strength of our community. With faith and determination, we can ensure that Mokokchung continues to gather under the stars each New Year’s Eve, celebrating not just the passage of time but the unbreakable bonds of community that define us.
The only strain in the MMC’s decision lies in its timing. While their rationale is respected, the abruptness of the announcement has left little room for the community to engage in a broader discourse or prepare adequately for the transition. Perhaps it would have been more fitting, and a gesture of closure, to organize the event one last time in a grand and memorable manner before stepping back. Such a farewell could have honored the tradition while allowing the community to reflect and prepare for a future shaped by collective efforts.