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.