Hark, what mean those holy voices

Roger Cox sets a familiar Christmas text in this SATB anthem. The music opens with a sense of wonder, reflecting the "holy voices, sweetly sounding through the skies." The choir portrays the angelic host rejoicing, with "heavenly alleluias" proclaimed. As the text unfolds, the music echoes the "wondrous story" of Christ's birth, "Glory in the highest, glory!" and the message of "peace on earth, good will from heaven." The composer captures the joy and adoration of the Nativity, encouraging mortals to "hasten... to adore him" and to magnify his name, culminating in the eternal praise of "Glory be to God most high."