Just when seasonal preparations for Christmas reach their most frenzied pace, historic Christ Reformed Church, Shepherdstown, lifts up a devotional tradition to restore calm and the Christian perspective. Each evening at 7 p.m., between Dec. 17 and 23, Vespers during the Octave before Christmas are offered in the softly lit sacred space of Christ Church. Dating from the 5th Century and lasting only 20 minutes, each devotional will focus on the “O Antiphon” for that day. Each of the “O Antiphons” highlights one of the seven titles given for the coming Messiah by the prophet Isaiah. The seven great “O Antiphons” are recited before and after the Magnificat during Vespers throughout that special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 7 to the 23rd. Christ Reformed Church, an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ, welcomes all to participate fully in parish events. The church is located at 304 East German Street in Shepherdstown.