Christmas 2023 at Oasis Church
Life moves fast.
And at Christmas, it seems like things only speed up — there’s always more things to prepare, more people to see, more to do. For many of us, a break from work over Christmas is something we look forward to for months beforehand, only for the festive season to arrive with a flurry of activity and energy that ushers in the New Year, and before you know it, we’re in January, things have restarted and we’ve barely managed to catch our breath.
The first Christmas certainly wasn’t short on activity, and yet within the turmoil of sold-out inns, labour in a stable, inquisitive visiting shepherds and choirs of angels were powerful moments of deep peace, rest and stillness. As one of the most famous carols begins:
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
As Jesus is born, the world seems to pause, and all creation holds its breath. For one precious, silent night, life stops for the arrival of a single baby boy — one who has come to change everything.
You are warmly invited to join Oasis Church for an exploration of ‘Stillness’ together this Christmas.
Below are a few opportunities to pause over the festive season, and all are welcome to get involved.
Advent Calendar
Launching Friday 1st December
A moment of stillness to enjoy every day throughout Advent, featuring songs, spoken word, readings, blog articles and more.
Click here for the Advent Calendar site, and check back every day for a Christmas surprise!
Christmas Craft Evening
7:30pm on Friday 1st December
As an extension of the monthly Craft Nights at South Street, the Christmas Craft Night Special will feature a variety of provided crafts for you to try out — glass painting, decorating wooden trees, baubles and stars, pom-pom key rings, bead bracelets, gift boxes, cards, stamping, diamond art tree decoration…oh, and of course you can bring your own craft too if you’re working on something Christmassy yourself!
It’s running from 7:30pm-9pm at South Street on Friday 1st December, and everyone is welcome. If you’re planning to come along, please sign up by clicking here and entering your details — just to let the team know how many supplies to organise!
Nativity Who?
10:30am on Sunday 17th December
An Oasis favourite festive meeting! Come dressed as a character from the nativity (the more obscure the better) for an all-age meeting as the Christmas story is retold together with lots of fun and games, and a big dash of spontaneity! This is an all age service led by our fantastic Oasis Kids Club and Engage Youth teams, and it won’t be live-streamed or recorded for safeguarding reasons. The fun gets underway from 10:15am ready for a 10:30am start!
Carol Service
6:30pm on Sunday 17th December
At our Carol Service, you can expect plenty of carols led by the Oasis Band and Choir, performance pieces, readings, moments to make you think, and loads more. You’ll be able to get involved either in person at our building on South Street, or by joining online via the Oasis Online Platform or YouTube, starting at 6:30pm. Afterwards, there’ll be time to connect with others over mince pies and (non-alcoholic) mulled wine too.
Christmas Eve Christingle Service
10:30am on Sunday 24th December
On the morning of Christmas Eve, it’s time for something new! Oasis is running its first ever Christingle Service. This is a meeting primarily aimed at children which includes carols, stories, and the chance to build a ‘Christingle’ — a traditional symbol of Christmas formed from an orange and candle, and decorated with ribbon, sweets and dried fruit. The meeting will run from 10:30am at South Street, for about an hour, and won’t be live-streamed.
Christmas Eve Communion Service
5pm on Sunday 24th December
On Christmas Eve, there’ll be a contemplative Communion Service together — a moment to pause ahead of the Christmas festivities, however they are looking for you this year, and take time to reflect, hear creative pieces, and worship together. The service will take place at our building on South Street, getting started at 5pm.
All-Age Christmas Day Service
10:30am on Monday 25th December
Finally, it’s time for a short, all age meeting celebrating Christmas Day together! All are welcome for a 10:30am start at South Street to sing carols, celebrate together, and reflect on the wonder of what it means that Jesus has come to us.
New Year Plans
There is no gathering at Oasis on Sunday 31st December, so the next meeting after Christmas will be on Sunday 7th January 2024, from 10:15am for a 10:30am start.
