oasisCHURCH

To Those Who Sit In Darkness/ A Christmas Memory

Anyone who knows me, knows that I tend to get nostalgic at certain times of the year.  Christmas it seems, brings a flood of memories for me.  It has to be my favorite holiday. I was thinking back to the Christmas plays we used to do at church when I was a kid.  They varied over the years, some were good and some were probably not. I remember one incident when I was about 5 years old. They used to give the kids "pieces" to say, as they called it.  I remember being so scared that when they called my name to come up and say my piece, I hid behind my Mom and didn't go up.  The poor lady who was calling our names finally said, "he must not be here," which was music to my ears. Whew, that was a narrow escape.

  However, as time progressed and I got a little older, I found that I liked to get up in front of people. Heck I turned into a ham, which was a far cry from that first miserable experience. A few years later, when I was about 11 years old, I had the most awesome experience I ever had doing a Christmas play.  The play was called "To Those Who Sit in Darkness."  The premise of the story was this;  It was set in Bethlehem the first Christmas following Jesus crucifixion.  My family was poor, because my father Aaron was a drunk, who spent his time gambling and drinking.  My mother Phoebe was a dear saint of a woman who tried her best to make our home a happy one, in spite of her husband's many flaws.  By the way, Aaron became a drunk because he had been a talented wood carver, and his hands had been crushed in an accident, so he was crippled and tried to bury his sorrow in alcohol.  My character Timothy, was a 12 year old blind boy, who tried to carve like his Dad to help provide some money so his Mom could keep them fed.

Anyway Aaron comes home drunk again, and a fight ensues between he and his long suffering wife, Phoebe.  Then there is a knock at the door.  There is an older woman and a young girl at the door.  They apologize for intruding, and ask if they can come in and warm themselves by the fire.  Phoebe the gracious host invites them inside.  She said she was sorry that she could not offer them some warm milk, and Timothy, who is unable to contain his anger toward his louse of a father, lashes out with a verbal tirade and says, "we have no milk, we have no bread, my father spends all our money casting dice in the wine shop."  Phoebe is horrified at Timothy's outburst.  Aaron picks up a stick from the fireplace and basically tells Timothy to shut up or he will beat him. (Sounds kind of heavy for a 1960's church program, huh). 

Anyway, allow me to fast forward a little.  The visitors turn out to be Mary the mother of Jesus and the young girl is the young lady that Jesus raised from the dead in Capernaum.  After a lot of great dialoge between these characters, Pheobe is stunned and asked, why they picked our house to visit.  The young girl explains, that each year in honor of her son Jesus, Mary plans to visit the neediest family in Bethlehem.  Mary said "it is so."  "I asked to be directed to the poorest and neediest family in Bethlehem, and the people sent me here to the home of Aaron, the drunkard, and the gambler."  By this time the previously hard hearted Aaron, is reduced to a sobbing heap, being comforted by his wife, and Timothy, confused by all that is happening, asks Mary what is going on.  She tells Timothy "My Son is here, Timothy, do you not feel Him here." Aarons previously crippled hands are healed.  Timothy is overcome with joy, and Mary tells him to look at the stars, to which the previously blind Timothy does, and he receives his sight.

This is a shortened version of the story of course.  But I will never forget how real it was for me, as we portrayed those characters.  It was almost like an "out of body experience."  The Holy Spirit was "In the House" that night.  It was really a turning point in my young faith.  I think it was one of the first times that God became really REAL to me.  It is hard to explain, but I imagine every believer has that one defining moment that they knew for sure that God is real.  This was one of those times for me.

So with all this being said, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.  If anyone else has a Christmas memory they would like to share, please do so. God bless...

   

Merry Christmas from the Stewarts

April, Brock, Kaylee, and I would like to extend our love and thanks to the Oasis family for your constant encouragement to us. We appreciate you very much.

Click here to download the Stewart Family Christmas Newsletter.

A Memorable Weekend

The past weekend was a perfect way to begin the week before Christmas. The Oasis Christmas Party was as lively as ever. All of the anticipation and expectation was achieved (in my opinion). As I have watched the video footage my wife made of the party I was able to see angles and perspectives that I did not get on Saturday night, and I could literally see the joy as people shared conversations, and danced and sang the night away. If you were there, please post your favorite Christmas party moment in the comments.

Then, on Sunday morning the Oasis Youth offered their months of hard work on the musical Just Believe to God as a beautiful offering of praise and worship, and the rest of us got to be blessed by it as well. They did a fantastic job. Very special thanks to Rochelle for the time and energy she has invested in this project. And thank you to all parents, kids, adults -- both up front and behind the scenes. You are very appreciated!

The 2005 Oasis Christmas Cafe

This Saturday, December 17
5:00pm-8:00pm

Those of you who receive my regular weekly Oasis emails have been receiving some bonus daily emails this week counting down the days until the Oasis Christmas party on Saturday. There is so much I am looking forward to on Saturday, but in the emails I have narrowed the anticipation down to 5 things. So far I have shared 4 of them:

DAY 5: The Food
Simply the best. At every Oasis gathering we have food. But this gathering is the best of the best. I am continually impressed with the abilities God has given the Oasis people to create the most wonderful tasting foods.

DAY 4: The Music
Always a treat. This year the band is prepared to add a few new tunes to our Christmas party repertoire. The music creates a lively, party atmosphere. I love to see people dancing and having a great time.

DAY 3: Sherrie Might
Sherrie is a role model for how to enjoy yourself and party. She brings life to any Oasis gathering she attends. Everyone who knows Sherrie knows that the Oasis Christmas party is her element.

DAY 2: The Kids Faces
When they see Santa Claus walk through the door, the look on their faces is priceless. Santa Claus visits our Oasis Christmas Cafe every year sometime at the tail end of the dinner. And when he comes through the door most heads and eyes are focused on him, but I love to watch the children. I love that look of adrenaline that you can so easily see when young kids see Santa. It's that look of anxiety, it says, I'm excited and overjoyed, but I am also a little nervous. Eventually they all settle down and get to talk to the figure who is a symbol of joy for them.

For some people in some Christian circles Santa Claus has become a symbol of evil and selfishness, a distraction from everything Christmas is supposed to be. But not for our family. In fact, I would love for my kids to pattern their lives after the man from whom our idea of Santa Claus comes. Now, of course I would not want them to pattern their lives after a consumerist model. You see, it all depends on how we teach Santa Claus. It depends on what kind of history lessons we give our kids about this man we call Santa Claus. You see, there was an old Saint named Nicholas, from whom we have received the legend of Santa Claus. And they differed somewhat, but they don't have to. Here's a few examples of how they differ, and after you read this you'll see that Santa Claus isn't necessarily bad, St. Nicholas is just better. It depends on how we teach children about this kind old man who loves to selflessly give gifts to others.

Santa Claus belongs to childhood;
St. Nicholas models for all of life.

Santa Claus, as we now know him, was developed to boost Christmas sales—the commercial Christmas message;
St. Nicholas told the story of Christ and peace, goodwill toward all—the hope-filled Christmas message.

Santa Claus (as we have known him) encourages consumption;
St. Nicholas encourages compassion.

Santa Claus appears each year to be seen and heard for a short time;
St. Nicholas is part of the communion of saints, surrounding us always with prayer and example.

Santa Claus flies through the air—from the North Pole;
St. Nicholas walked the earth—caring for those in need

Santa Claus, for some, replaces the Babe of Bethlehem;
St. Nicholas, for all, points to the Babe of Bethlehem

Santa Claus isn't bad;
St. Nicholas is just better.

Tomorrow I will share my fifth and reason why I am looking forward to the Oasis Christmas Cafe.

A Song for Kaylee

I can hardly believe it has been five years since the day the doctor in Toledo Children's hospital introduced me to my daughter for the first time face to face. Besides her mother, she was the most beautiful face I had ever seen in my life. Shortly after her birth I heard a song that had been written by a friend of a friend who lives in southern California. The songwriter's name is Dicky Ochoa (aka Richard Swift), and he had written this song for his daughter. When I heard it I melted right where I stood. I, too, had a newborn daughter. And I too, knew the depth and the love from which these words were written.

So, Mr. Ochoa, if I may borrow your song, I'd like to dedicate it to my daughter, Kaylee. She turns 5 years old today (Friday, December 9).

I thought I saw angels crawl into your bed
You started laughing
Maybe one of them poked you right in the ribs
I don't know
I love to hold you up over my head
I get this feeling
That God drew an angel on my bedroom ceiling
So I sing this song

You're my little girl
You're my little girl

And when I'm away I dream of you
Lying in the tenderness of your mother's prayers
Cause you're on her mind so much little girl
I'm surprised you don't get tangled in her hair
And I'll give my hopes, my dreams, my blood and my songs
Just to hold you up high
To see you come undone, and the stars above, and the Father's love
I don't know whether to laugh or cry

You're my little girl
You're my little girl

And one day you'll grow wings
And you'll learn to fly far away, far away from me
And they'll spread my ashes over the waters
But just know I'll watch you from my house in heaven
And I'll sing the Father's song, when you're loved don't you know

You're my little girl
You're my little girl

I'm in love with you

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYLEE!!!

Christmas Worship

WARNING: I realize before even typing the first word of this post that it could have the potential to step on toes or offend. That is not my intention whatsoever. You may disagree or have another perspective, and I can appreciate that. Please post your comments if so. This is a post that I believe could spark some good discussion, and that is my purpose in presenting it here. I am not trying to preach. I am not trying to condemn. I am just trying to challenge.

Now, having qualified this post, with hopefully what you have seen is a glimpse of my heart, here is what it's all about.

Canceling church gatherings because of Christmas. The mere thought of considering this is very confusing to me. Now, even as I say that, I understand why some churches have considered it and some are actually doing it. Christmas is a time when traditions are very strong. Every family has a routine. I understand this as much as anyone. I am not a traditionalist by any stretch of the imagination... except during Christmas. I love the traditions of Christmas. In some way it keeps you close to your childhood, when the Christmas spirit is strongest. And as an adult sometimes those childhood Christmas memories become clouded by all of the stress of the holiday. But the traditions are what bring us back. Every family probably has their own routine on Christmas morning, and we don't want our routines disturbed by anything.

But every seven years Christmas Day falls on a Sunday; the day when most Christians have designated as a time to gather with their new family, their brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. In many ways, that gathering is intended to be a celebration of Christmas and Easter all wrapped into one, every week! There is no doubt that the church worship gatherings are about Jesus, for Jesus, to Jesus, and with Jesus. I don't think anyone would dispute that Jesus is the reason WHY Christians gather together on a designated day.

But here's another question to consider. Why do we celebrate and observe Christmas? I know that we live in a world today where that question is beginning to become more and more difficult to answer. We've become inundated with "holiday festivals" and "winter celebrations" so much that the Christmas holiday has become a blend of whatever you want to celebrate. I have no qualms with people desiring to celebrate their own holiday in their own way if they do not believe in Jesus as God. But at some point we do have to go to the roots of why we observe this holiday. When I say we I am referring to Christians. A couple thousand years ago our ancient brothers and sisters adopted the pagan Winter Solstice (practically a month-long party) as an opportunity to celebrate Jesus' birth. So ever since then it has been passed down from generation to generation, society to society, as primarily a "Jesus" holiday. In recent years other religions have celebrated it in their own way. I have no problem with this. I am not going to pull a Dobsonesque soapbox out here and begin protesting.

But what I am speaking of is YOU and ME. Why do we celebrate Christmas? You know the answer. JESUS. Now, each of us have added our own traditions to the celebration of Jesus. Like getting up early on Christmas morning to open gifts, or to have a nice breakfast with the family, or perhaps to go and visit other family members. I know some families even do a special birthday celebration for Jesus on Christmas morning, with cake and ice cream and everything. I think that's wonderful! In fact, if we just did these kinds of family worship celebrations all year long, on a weekly basis, just imagine how much different our families might be!

Now, back to my original dilemma. As I was preparing some things for our Christmas Day gathering the thought occurred to me, maybe we should just cancel the gathering on Christmas Day Sunday. You can build a case for canceling. (A) We've always said that Oasis is not about meetings, but about being the church wherever you are, and we have especially encouraged everyone to "be the church" at home with their families. (B) We could encourage everyone to take time during their Christmas morning to put the focus on worship in their own homes, and to even share communion with their families. Perhaps a new Christmas tradition would begin in doing so. (C) Canceling on Christmas Day would simply take the pressure off of everyone to feel like they have to "come to church."

Those are all good reasons. But here's my case for going ahead and encouraging everyone to gather. First of all, we're talking about a break in the normal Christmas Day tradition once every seven years. As a "Christmas traditionalist" myself, even I could handle that. It may even be a refreshing change. But the greatest reason comes back to the very foundational purposes for why we celebrate both events. Why do we observe Christmas? For Jesus. Everything else is secondary. If I have a difficult time with this, then perhaps I have become disoriented like the majority of Christmas worshipers. Yes, I said "Christmas worshipers". You see, there are Jesus-worshipers, and then there are Christmas-worshipers. Which are you? A Christmas worshiper too easily allows the STUFF of the Christmas holiday to step in front of the primary object of our worship. The Bible has a word for that. God calls it "idolatry" (see, I told you this post wasn't going to be an easy, warm-fuzzy type of post).

What is all the "stuff" of Christmas I might be referring to as idolatry? Well, to name a few: the decor, the lights, the trees, the parties, the presents, the food, the traditions. I could go on. Right now you are saying, "Chris, you've lost your mind! You've become a no-fun legalist!" But just let me continue. Stay with me here. I DO NOT believe that all of those things are idolatry in and of themselves. In fact, I love them and participate in all of them myself. Go back to the end of the last paragraph and re-read what I described as idolatry. It's whenever "the stuff" steps in front of the primary object of our worship. You see, all of the stuff of Christmas actually has the potential to either ASSIST your worship of Jesus, or GET IN THE WAY of your worship of Jesus. And depending on what you allow it to do will determine whether or not you are being a Jesus-worshiper or a Christmas-worshiper. There are two kinds of worship. Worship of the Creator God, Jehovah; or idolatry. God says there is no God but Him. Everything else is created by men and women of earth, and therefore becomes idolatry. The fact is I have the potential of allowing anything in my life to become an object of idol worship. That is, if it comes before Jesus.

Now, please do not read what I am NOT saying. I am not saying that anyone who stays home from the church gathering on Christmas morning or any church who chooses to cancel their gathering on Christmas morning is practicing idol worship. In fact, each individual family has the potential to have an incredible time of Jesus-worship as they celebrate together.

But what I am saying is this. Why do something different on a day that is intended to be an even larger celebration of what we celebrate every Sunday morning in the first place? See what I am saying? If the regular Sunday gathering's primary purpose is to celebrate Jesus, and Christmas's primary purpose is to celebrate Jesus, then what a perfect venue to celebrate Christmas! When Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, the day we regularly set aside to gather with our families and brothers and sisters in Christ, then it's like a fusion of these two great celebrations of the same purpose. As I said above, every Sunday is in essence a celebration of Christmas. So when that ONE great day, which we set aside to celebrate the actual birth of Jesus, happens to fall on a Sunday, what an awesome time of worship it could be!

I realize that some families have circumstances that simply may not allow them to come to a Christmas Day church gathering. But for the majority of us, I want to present a challenge to be flexible this year. Add something new to your Christmas tradition (every seven years of course), an hour-and-a-half gathering with other brothers and sisters to celebrate the joy we all share in Jesus.

I want to be honest and transparent as I conclude this writing. The primary reason why I chose to write this is because I was ashamed of something that entered my mind as I pondered Christmas Day being on Sunday this year. Sadly I confess to you that I actually entertained this thought, "Man, I hope church doesn't ruin Christmas Day this year. I hope it doesn't get in the way of our family traditions."

That's when I realized that my traditions were WAY to meaningful to me. And it was time for me to re-evaluate my Christmastime worship. I confessed my sin to God as an idolater, a worshiper of Christmas. I want to be a worshiper of Jesus. In everything. Especially on His birthday. Think of the absurdity in those thoughts above. It's like saying, "Man, I hope the celebration of the birthday of Jesus doesn't ruin the celebration of the birthday of Jesus."

So, yes, Oasis will gather on Christmas Day to celebrate the birthday of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It will be a shorter gathering in order to respect the time we all have set aside with our personal families for the rest of the day. But although shorter, it will be filled with multiple expressions of worship for Jesus. It's His birthday, so we are going to do what we do on everyone else's birthday we know and love. We are going to bring him gifts. Think of what all is brought to birthday parties: gifts, some home-made and some purchased; cards with money inside; cards with poems or writings that describe how we feel about the person; personalized songs, usually "Happy Birthday"; and food.

So for Jesus' birthday, perhaps some will bring a gift they have made, a piece of art that represents their love and appreciation for Jesus. Perhaps some will sing personalized songs to show their love and appreciation for Him. Perhaps some will bring food as an offering of their love and appreciation for Jesus. Just use your imagination. There are many, many ideas for how we can BRING HIM GIFTS. I believe this Christmas could possibly be the best Christmas my family has experienced in the last six or seven years. This year we have a built-in reminder for why we celebrate the holiday. It's called our Oasis church family gathering, 10:00am-11:30am at the old American Legion building.