In the 19th century, the Christmas celebrations increasingly moved from the church to the family home. The delicately woven Christmas Sonatina by Carl Reinecke (1824-1910) testifies to that. Motifs from Bach's Sinfonia from the Christmas Oratorio or from Handel's Messiah blend with melodies of popular Christmas carols such as 'Silent Night, Holy Night', 'Vom Himmel hoch' or 'O du fröhliche'. Due to its moderate difficulty, the Sonatina by this sensitive and in those days highly esteemed composer is suitable for both pupils' concerts and for private music-making in the Advent and Christmas season.