Bach’s Christmas Oratorio – From Question to Answer

Every December, I enjoy listening to Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. It consists of six cantatas, each connected to the church calendar, forming a continuous biblical story.

                                              Structure of the Christmas Oratorio

Although the work lasts about two and a half hours and is sung in German, I used to listen mainly to the bright melodies, thinking it was simply joyful Christmas music. Only recently did I realize its clear spiritual progression.

The Same Chorale at the Beginning and the End

A well-known chorale melody—also heard in the St. Matthew Passion—appears twice in the Christmas Oratorio, once in Part I and again in Part VI, but in a joyful major key.

Part I: Question and Prayer

“Wie soll ich dich empfangen”
(How shall I embrace you?)

This chorale is a personal prayer before Christ.

Key ideas

• I / me

• How?

• Teach me

• Give me light

Part VI: Confidence and Declaration

“Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen”
(Now you are well avenged)

Here, there is no question, only certainty.

Key ideas

• You / you all

• Already

• Defeated

• Victory

From Question to Answer

By placing the  same chorale melody at the beginning and the end, Bach leads us from human questioning to God’s answer.

Someday, I would love to sing this chorale myself.😊

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