J.S. Bach:
Christmas Oratorio

Emmanuel Church
Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 7:00pm
Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 2:00pm
Tickets
A trumpet player performs at a Christmas Oratorio
"Germany’s seasonal equivalent to the English-speaking world’s Messiah"
-John Harbison
"...like binge-watching your favorite series."
-Pamela Dellal
The six cantatas of the radiant Christmas Oratorio ignite the holiday spirit with Bach’s unparalleled brilliance played out in exquisite pastoral scenes, profound vocal solos, and dazzling choruses. Since the piece is in shorter sections, in contrast to his other great oratorios, listening to the whole work at once is like binge-watching your favorite series: you can enjoy each section on its own terms, and also appreciate how the story builds, crafting a holiday experience that resonates with timeless joy.
Bach & Babkas and a conversation about Christmas Oratorio
Sunday, December 7
Join us on Sunday, December 7 for celebratory coffee hour after Emmanuel Music's performance of Bach's Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland II, BWV 62 during the service. We'll host a special "Bach & Babkas" coffee hour with Babkas from Bakey in Brookline, leading into a conversation with Pam Dellal about the Christmas Oratorio, "Bach’s Christmas Oratorio - Unity from Diversity" at 12:15 in the Parish Hall.