Il est né le divin enfant is a popular, traditional Christmas carol in France. In the version with instrumental accompaniment written for Christmas 1888 (not compatible with the purely organ version), Fauré contrasts the unison chorus with a tuneful bass group of cellos and double bass as a melodious counterpart. This is also joined by an arpeggiated harp part and an oboe which adds pastoral color.

Scoring: Coro S, Ob, Arpa, 2 Vc, Cb, Org