This is a very ambitious setting of two Christmas pieces:  the hymn tune Gloria and the ancient plainchant Hodie Christus Natus Est which people will remember hearing in Benjamin Britten's lovely Ceremony of Carols. The harplike arpeggiated chords connect immediately to the celestial image of the first hymn.  The first appearance of the plainsong melody is in the handchimes over sustained bell echoes underneath.  The piece concludes with a triumphant presentation of the first tune.  A remarkable connection is made between these two tunes from different musical times because of their common message.