With his Oratorio de Noël, that expresses lyrical warmth, vocal ardency and reflective intimacy, Camille Saint-Saëns in the middle of the 19th century added to the repertoire epitomized by Johann Sebastian Bach's Christmas Oratorio – just rediscovered at that time – a fascinating, autonomous, romantic counterpart. The final chorus from Saint-Saëns’ work, Tollite hostias, which has become established in the repertoire as a separate choral piece, is a short hymn in a radiant G major based on psalm 96. The coming of the Lord is reflected in a gripping and yet simple choral setting.