Beautiful poems by American poets Sara Teasdale and Phyllis McGinley, each telling a very human Christmas story. Teasdale's 'Carol' contrasts the magnificence of the songs of angels and kings with the baby Jesus, who'fell asleep before the song was done.' McGinley's 'Ballad' is a retelling of the ancient legend of Befana the Housewife, always too busy to greet the new-born babe until it is too late. The ChoralJournal called these two pieces 'brilliant choral writing...enthusiastically recommended...'