Choir and orchestra are in four parts, scored for flutes, strings (violins and viols), organ and basso continuo.

Charpentier composed the Messe de minuit pour Noël c. 1694 for the Jesuit church of the Église Saint-Louis in Paris where he was music director.

Some vocal parts are marked for soloists ("seule"), always in groups: a duo of two sopranos, or a trio of alto, tenor and bass.

[2]: 12 The Messe de minuit pour Noël H.9 was recorded by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, and the English Chamber Orchestra conducted by David Willcocks in 1967,[6][7] and in 1988 by the Choir of St John's College, Cambridge, and the City of London Sinfonia, conducted by George Guest.

The Messe de minuit pour Noël H.9 was recorded by the Virgin Consort conducted by Kyler Brown in 1995.

The Messe de minuit pour Noël H.9 was recorded, with other Christmas music, In nativitatem Domini Canticum H.416 by Charpentier including four instrumental settings (H.531 n°2, H.534 n°3,4,6) of carols used in the mass, in 2002 by Les Arts Florissants Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by William Christie.

[9][10] The Messe de minuit pour Noël H.9 was recorded with Dixit Dominus H.204 & Te Deum H.146 by Aradia Ensemble conducted by Kevin Mallon.

The Messe de minuit pour Noël H.9 was recorded, with other Christmas music, In nativitatem Domini Canticum H.416 n°4, In nativitate Domini Nostri Jesu Christi Canticum H.421, Alma Redemptoris H.44, Te Deum H.147 by Charpentier including three instrumental settings, Interlude instrumental from H.416, H.534 n°3 & H.531 n°2 of carols used in the mass, in 2023 by L’Ensemble Corresondances conducted by Sèbastien Daucé.