This composition serves as a contemporary choral setting of a Christmas text intended for liturgical or concert performance. The work by Malcolm Archer utilizes the poetry of Timothy Dudley-Smith to create a specific musical atmosphere suitable for the holiday season. The piece is structured as an unaccompanied SATB arrangement, focusing on harmonic warmth and melodic accessibility.

Choral directors frequently utilize this piece for its accessible harmonic language and suitability for Christmas services. Experts note that the unaccompanied nature of the work requires precise intonation from the ensemble to maintain the intended warmth of the harmonies.