Bach structured the cantata in 14 movements and scored it for four vocal parts and a Baroque orchestra with flutes, oboes and strings.

There are three chorales, one by Johann Rist and two by Paul Gerhardt, both using the melody of Luther's "Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her".

[10] Bach hoped to become court composer for the Catholic Elector, and dedicated a Latin Missa to him that year, the Kyrie–Gloria Mass in B minor, BWV 232 I.

[15] Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend, BWV 248 II, for the Second Day of Christmas in 1734, is the second of six cantatas (or parts) constituting this oratorio.

[18] The identity of the librettist of the Christmas Oratorio cantatas is unknown,[2] with Picander, who had collaborated with Bach earlier, a likely candidate.

The librettist included three stanzas from Lutheran hymns: Johann Rist's "Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht" from "Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist",[21] Paul Gerhardt's "Schaut hin!

The choir represents the angels singing "Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe" (Glory to God in the Highest).

[35] The absence of a chorus in the first movement signifies the stillness of the nightly scene, giving more weight to the voices to follow.

[37] The stanza "Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht"[21] ("Break forth, o lovely light of morning"),[24] which Bach set for four parts, is taken from a hymn by Johann Rist, "Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist":[21] Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht, Und laß den Himmel tagen!

The shepherds are told that the weak child shall be comfort and joy to them and all (using the first person plural) and will conquer Satan and ultimately bring peace.

[17][40] The music is based on the aria "Fromme Musen, meine Glieder" from Bach's secular cantata Tönet, ihr Pauken!

[15] The announcement of the angel is continued: "Und das habt zum Zeichen" ("And this shall be a sign for you"),[17] mentioning swaddling-clothes and the manger.

dort liegt im finstern Stall" (Look, there lies in a dark stable),[17] a setting for four parts of a stanza by Paul Gerhardt, which is sung to the melody of Martin Luther's "Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her".

[22] This chorale, in the low key of C major, is the central movement of this cantata and thus also the midpoint of the first three parts of the oratorio, performed on the three days of Christmas:[43] Schaut hin, dort liegt im finstern Stall, Des Herrschaft gehet überall!

Its focus is on the dark stable, expressing amazement that the Almighty, the Virgin's child, rests where a cow had fed.

[45] It is a lullaby, as if imagined: "Schlafe, mein Liebster, genieße der Ruh" ("Sleep, my most beloved, enjoy your rest").

[15] The Evangelist continues the narration:[47] "Und alsobald war da bei dem Engel" ("And suddenly there was with the angel"), telling of the heavenly hosts.

[16] The closing chorale[50] is another stanza by Gerhardt, to the same melody as the cantata's central chorale: "Wir singen dir in deinem Heer"[23] ("We sing to You within Your host"):[16] Wir singen dir in deinem Heer Aus aller Kraft Lob, Preis und Ehr, Daß du, o lang gewünschter Gast, Dich nunmehr eingestellet hast.

[16] The chorale is set in G major, and instrumental motifs between the lines are taken from the opening Sinfonia, confirming the symmetry of the cantata's structure.