Native American Christmas Carol

It is said that around 1640 a Jesuit missionary priest living among the Huron people wrote a Christmas carol, their first. A chapel made up of fir trees and bark was created to celebrate the manger in Bethlehem. The animals at this nativity were the buffalo, the bear and the fox. The nativity scenes were dressed up as Native Americans.

The carol was originally written in the Huron language then was transferred into French and English.

Twas in the moon of winter-time
When all the birds had fled,
That mighty Gitchi Manitou
Sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim,
And wandering hunters heard the hymn:
“Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.”

Within a lodge of broken bark
The tender Babe was found,
A ragged robe of rabbit skin
Enwrapp’d His beauty round;
But as the hunter braves drew nigh,
The angel song rang loud and high…
“Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.”

The earliest moon of wintertime
Is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory
On the helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before him knelt
With gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.

O children of the forest free,
O sons of Manitou,
The Holy Child of earth and heaven
Is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant Boy
Who brings you beauty, peace and joy.

“Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.”

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