Bach used a grand Baroque orchestra for this section, including , which lend the music a regal and celebratory tone. The 13 movements consist of:

: Traditional Lutheran hymns that allow the congregation to reflect on the narrative. Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen, BWV 248 III

: The story follows the Gospel of Luke . It begins with the shepherds encouraging one another to hasten to Bethlehem to see the "word that has come to pass".

: Reused from Bach's secular cantata BWV 214 .

: A tenor soloist who narrates the biblical text in recitative style.

While Part I focuses on the birth of Jesus and Part II on the announcement to the shepherds, Part III concludes the "first cycle" by bringing these groups together in Bethlehem.