The chorale Buxtehude uses as the basis for this prelude was written by Nicolaus Herman, originally intended for children's singing. The chorale became one of the standards for singing at Christmastime. The first verse reads as follows: "Praise God all ye Christians who from his highest throne has opened up heaven and given us his son!" Buxtehude's setting of the chorale is particularly brief at only 22 measures. The chorale itself is not very long, and Buxtehude sets the melody in quarter notes instead of half notes as he usually does. While setting the chorale in quarter notes causes the piece to be somewhat brief, it makes the chorale prelude a bit more snappy and excited than usual, an affect that fits the upbeat exuberant nature of the chorale.

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