Naperville's Good Shepherd Church hosts 14th annual Encounter Christmas

This December, as the whirlwind of the holiday season sweeps through your life, Good Shepherd Church in Naperville invites you to a peaceful and intentional moment of reflection.

"Encounter Christmas" is back for its 14th consecutive year, promising an exquisite experience to unplug from the chaos and rediscover the true essence of Christmas.

A cherished tradition in the community, this 90-minute event offers an oasis of calm during the bustling holiday season, providing attendees with a serene atmosphere for reflection and worship. Join in celebrating the Christmas story through carols, community, and a message from Pastor Tara Beth Leach.

"Encounter Christmas XIV: Thy Perfect Light" will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, and at 5:45 and 7:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at the church, 1310 Shepherd Drive.

Highlights:

• An intimate setting to connect with the spiritual essence of Christmas.

• Heartwarming carols and worship to inspire a sense of peace and joy.

• A wonderful opportunity for families, friends, and individuals to gather and celebrate the season together.

• An event that has been a beloved tradition for 14 years, drawing the community closer in the spirit of Christmas.

Ryan Hammer, creative arts executive minister at Good Shepherd Church, encouraged those who are considering attending "Encounter Christmas" to allow themselves this gift. "Give yourself time to put down the to-do lists, the busyness, and responsibilities of this season, and give yourself the gift of being present for an evening. Sing if you want to sing, relax, and have it be the living room Christmas vibe you may be missing that will help jump-start, sustain, and inspire you for the rest of the Christmas season."

Hammer and others began "Encounter Christmas" because they recognized a need in themselves to pause and prepare for Christmas during the hectic holiday season, and they have stayed true to this mission for 14 years.

"In its simplest form, Encounter Christmas is just people getting together to sing Christmas songs. This year we're focusing on Jesus as the 'perfect light of the world,' the radiance of God's glory, and every single person that serves recognizes that they need that focus themselves, so much so that they helped create this for other people," Hammer said. "Our goal isn't to be cool, or do the hippest and newest thing; our goal is to have Encounter be an impactful moment of the season for every single person in attendance."

Register for this free event at gshepchurch.org/encounter.

For more information, visit www.goodshepherd-naperville.org.