In 1930 Ottorino Respighi composed "Lauda per la Natività del Signore", the only sacred choral piece among his works. In this song of praise to the miracle of Christmas majestic sounding choral passages alternate with the soloistic roles of Maria, the Angel and the shepherd, accompanied by the sound of pastoral instruments. The music is varied, containing stylistic elements ranging from the late romantic to neo baroque, as well as echoes of Gregorian chant. And towering above all is Respighi's trademark: the art of orchestration. This until now, little known Christmas cantata has been published here for the first time in a critical edition, based on the autograph and thus opens a new facet in the creative output of Respighi.