In this beautifully chosen program of mostly a cappella arrangements, Robert Shaw and the Robert Shaw Chamber Singers deliver the Christmas story in tones of gentle and moving splendor. The carols and sacred settings recorded here are all of an intimate sort, and the rapturous, gently expressive realizations Shaw and his singers give them prove unfailingly appealing. Particularly moving is the newest work on the disc, a setting of "O magnum mysterium" by the American composer Morten Lauridsen. Franz Biebl's "Ave Maria" is another gem, as is the arrangement by Healy Willan of the French carol "What Is This Lovely Fragrance?" The offering includes a pair of chorales from Bach's Christmas Oratorio and two wonderful Christmas works by Benjamin Britten: "A Hymn to the Virgin" and A Ceremony of Carols, both well done, even if the sound of sopranos and altos (rather than boy trebles) in the latter takes some getting used to. --Ted Libbey 1 O Come, Emmanuel 2 Alleluia 3 The First Nowell 4 The Carol Of The Birds 5 Allon, Gay Bergeres 6 A Hymn To The Virgin 7 O Magnum Mysterium 8 Christmas Oratorio: Rejoice And Sing 9 Ave Maria 10 What Is This Lovely Fragrance? 11 Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming 12 Sing Lullaby 13 While By My Sheep 14 Christmas Oratorio: Break Forth, O Wondrous Heavenly Light 15 Heavenly Light 16 Adeste Fideles 17 Ceremony Of Carols: Procession - Hodie Christus Natus Est 18 Ceremony Of Carols: Wolcum Yole! 19 Ceremony Of Carols: There Is No Rose 20 Ceremony Of Carols: That Yonge Child 21 Ceremony Of Carols: Balulalow 22 Ceremony Of Carols: As Dew In Aprille 23 Ceremony Of Carols: This Little Babe 24 Interlude (Harp Solo) 25 Ceremony Of Carols: In Freezing Winter Night 26 Ceremony Of Carols: Spring Carol 27 Ceremony Of Carols: Deo Gracias 28 Ceremony Of Carols: Recession: Hodie Christus Natus Est