The genesis of this carol was inspired by the shepherds reaction to the angels message of Christ’s birth. The first section of the carol attempts to convey the “all embracing” nature of the text with it’s distinct contrasts. The carol has a concluding section which begins with a distant choir of angels to the text “Gloria in Excelsis Deo”. This section is announced with a fugato, the subject of which is derived from the opening section “Welcome” and which after the words “Pax” returns with the added emphasis of the angels to conclude with a climactic a climactic “Gloria”.