The work is scored for five soloists (soprano, mezzo-soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone), SATB mixed chorus, organ, harp, and strings in the standard five sections.
"[3] The narrative portion of the text, taken from the second chapter of St. Luke, appears in the second movement and tells the part of the traditional Christmas story involving the shepherds.
"[4] However, "its shorter length and the fact that it was intended for presentation during a worship service place it closer in character and purpose to a traditional sacred cantata.
After the prelude, opening recitatives and chorus, the work gradually builds from a single soloist accompanied by a small ensemble to involve the entire instrumental and vocal forces.
Edith Wiens, Soprano Helena Jungwirth, Alto Friederich Melzer, Ténor Kurt Widmer, Bass report Profil (Édition Günter Hänssler) 2005 Annie Tasset, Mezzo-soprano Georges Gauthier, Ténor Hanna Schaer, Contralto Paul Guigue, Baryton Orchestre de Chambre de Lyon Grand Prix de l'Académie du Disque Lyrique Britt-Marie Aruhn, Soprano Erland Hagegård, Ténor Ulf Lundmark, Bass Ing-Mari Landin, Alto Mikaeli Chamber Choir 1994 Arthur Schildmeyer, Bass Hélène Verslot, Mezzo-soprano Wendela Bronsgeet, Soprano Jos Van Der Lans, Ténor Armin Ude Egbert Junghanns Annette Market Juta Zoff Ute Selbig Dresdner Philarmonie Marie-Madelein Lauvin, Mezzo-soprano Danielle Michel, Alto Hervé Lamy, Ténor Marc Thoron, Bass Ensemble instrumental de Ville d'Avray Steffen-Friedl-Schneider, Baritone Traudl Well, Soprano Andrea Forscher, Mezzo-soprano Ulla Teich, Alto Lukas Kamerata Mannheim Marina Fideli, mezzo-soprano Marina Ferreira Vanghelis Hatzisimos, tenor Christoforos Stabogli, bass La Camerata Bolette Bruno Hansen et Lilly Schulz, Mezzo-soprano June Lund, Ténor Lars Fentz Krogh, Bass Aleksandra Lustig, Mezzo-soprano Patricia Wagner, Alto Andreas Wagner, Tenor Tobias Schabel, Bass Bachchor Stuttgart Bachorchester Stuttgart Rie Hiroe-Lang Gundula Schneider, Mezzo-soprano Sabine Czinczel, Alto Marcus Ullman, Ténor Jens Hamann, Baritone Les Favorites Regina Pätzer, mezzo-soprano Anke Vondung, alto Hans Jörg Mammel, tenor Florian Boesch, baritone L'arpa festante Victoria Lotkowictz, Mezzo-soprano Gary Gavula, Baritone Elisa Rush, Soprano