This is the second of two cantatas Bach based on Martin Luther's Advent hymn ("Come now, Savior of the heathen"), the other being an early Weimar cantata, BWV 61, dating from 1714. The present work was composed for Advent Sunday, 1724, and was given its first performance in Leipzig on December 3. It thus belongs to the second annual cycle (Jahrgang) of Leipzig cantatas and conforms to the type of so-called "chorale cantata" that dominates the 1724-1725 cycle. In keeping with such chorale-based works, Luther's hymn is used throughout, the opening and closing choruses incorporating the first and last verses, while the alternating arias and recitatives framed by the choruses are free poetic paraphrases of verses 2-7 of the hymn. The librettist has not been identified. It is scored for the customary four-part vocal ensemble, with an orchestra consisting of two oboes, bassoon, "corno" (usually taken to mean a horn, but possibly a type of slide trumpet), strings, and continuo. The lively opening chorus is of the chorale fantasia type favored by Bach, the chorale melody appearing first in the continuo, and subsequently the upper strings and oboes before being intoned by the choral sopranos. The tenor aria that follows is a joyful anticipation of the coming of the Christ, "Marvel, O man." This is followed by a recitative and majestic aria for bass, the last line "O bright radiance" being transformed into an awestruck arioso. A delicate accompanied recitative for soprano and alto precedes the final chorus, a simple four-part harmonization of the hymn melody.

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