JESOUS AHATONHIA

An article in the Toronto Star entitled "Jewish composers with WASP dreams; How we got 'White Christmas," reveals that many of our cherished Christmas songs were written by Jewish immigrants whose families had fled the Russian pogroms of the late nineteenth century. In fact, over two million Jews left Russia at that time, many of them landing in the poorest quarters of New York City.

Songs like White Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Silver Bells, Winter Wonderland and Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree were written around the time of the Second World War by the children of some of these New York City immigrants as they strove to assimilate into American culture by creating songs that provided comfort, hope and reassurance to a troubled populace.

This story reminded me of another outsider who created a Christmas classic three hundred and seventy five years ago. Jean de Brebeuf wrote the lyrics of the The Huron Christmas Carol (or Twas in the Moon of Wintertime ) in the native language of the Huron people in 1642 while wintering at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons near Midland. He set the song to the melody of a traditional French folk song of the time. According to Wikipedia, the well-known English lyrics were written in 1926 and as of 2011, the song has entered the public domain.

The Huron Carol is Canada's oldest Christmas song and presents the Nativity story in terms that respected the prevailing culture of the times. Below is the first verse written by Brebeuf followed by the full English version.Take a moment to read and reflect on its timeless message. Indeed,


                                      Jesus, our King is born, in Excelsis Gloria.

Merry Christmas to all. 

Huron

The original words of the carol in the Wyandot language (Huron).

Ehstehn yayau deh tsaun we yisus ahattonnia

O na wateh wado:kwi nonnwa 'ndasqua entai

ehnau sherskwa trivota nonnwa 'ndi yaun rashata

Iesus Ahattonnia, Ahattonnia, Iesus Ahattonnia.

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."