Christmas Oratorio Facts for Kids

The first page of the first part of the Christmas Oratorio

The Christmas Oratorio (which means Weihnachts-Oratorium in German) is a famous piece of music. It was written by a well-known composer named Johann Sebastian Bach. This special music tells the story of Jesus' birth. It uses parts from the Bible, specifically the gospels of Matthew and Luke.

A Musical Story for Christmas
The Music of the Oratorio
- Chorales: Songs for Everyone
The Six Parts
Images for kids
See also

A Musical Story for Christmas

Before writing the Christmas Oratorio, Bach had already created other musical pieces. These were called cantatas and were also for the Christmas season.

Bach wrote the Christmas Oratorio in 1734. It was created especially for the Christmas celebrations that year. The music was first performed in two churches in Leipzig, Germany. These were the Thomaskirche and the Nikolaikirche.

The Music of the Oratorio

The Christmas Oratorio is divided into six main parts. Each part is meant to be performed on a specific day during the Christmas season. Some of the music in the oratorio was even taken from other works Bach had composed earlier.

Chorales: Songs for Everyone

In his church music, Bach often used special melodies called chorales. These were German church hymns. They were well-known tunes that people could sing along to.

The Six Parts

Each part of the oratorio tells a different part of the Christmas story. They also use different musical instruments.

Part I: The Birth of Jesus

Part I is performed on Christmas Day (December 25). The music and words tell the story of Jesus' birth.

The instruments for this part include:

3 trumpets
timpani (drums)
2 flutes
2 oboes (players also use oboe d'amore)
2 violins
viola
And the basso continuo (a group of instruments that play the bass line and chords)

Part II: The Shepherds

Part II is performed on the second day of Christmas (December 26). This part focuses on the shepherds.

The instruments for this part include:

2 flutes
2 oboes d'amore
2 oboes da caccia
2 violins
viola
And the basso continuo

Part III: The Shepherds Worship

Part III is performed on the third day of Christmas (December 27). This section continues the story of the shepherds.

The instruments used in Part III are the same as those in Part I.

Part IV: New Year's Day

Part IV is performed on New Year's Day (January 1). This part often tells about the naming of Jesus.

The instruments for this part include:

2 horns
2 oboes
2 violins
viola
And the basso continuo

Part V: The Journey of the Magi

Part V is performed on the Sunday after New Year's Day. This section tells about the Magi (wise men) and their journey.

The instruments for this part include:

2 oboes d'amore
2 violins
viola
And the basso continuo

Part VI: The Adoration of the Magi

Part VI is performed on the holiday of Epiphany. This day celebrates the wise men visiting Jesus.

The instruments used in Part VI are the same as those in Part I.

Images for kids

First two pages of the libretto of Bach's Christmas Oratorio, as printed in 1734.
St. Nicholas Church
St. Thomas Church
Conrad von Soest: Birth of Christ (1404)
Georges de La Tour: Adoration of the Shepherds (1644)
Giotto: Angels at the Nativity (c. 1300)
Magi before Herod; France, early 15th century
Rogier van der Weyden: Adoration of the Magi (c. 1430–60)
Rembrandt: Flight into Egypt (1627)