I am going to tell you a story about a Christmas Carol, one of the oldest from Canada, written in 1643 for the Huron (Wyandot) Native tribe living in Ontario.
It was written by a missionary trying to tell the story of Christmas to those who had not heard the story before. It was originally written in their native language and translated in 1926 into English.
(congregation can look at Hymnal #114 for the words)
Book: The Huron Carol
Let us celebrate with Christians all over this world.
The holy child of earth and heaven Is born today for you and me.
Come kneel before the radiant Boy, Who brings you beauty, peace, and joy:
Jesus your king is born! Jesus is born: "In excelsis gloria!" Amen.
(tell a piece from the story of the Huron Carol (back of book))
10 pm
Let me tell you a story…
The Deer on Christmas Eve (from Star of Wonder p. 96-97)
I love that tale because it is based on the real Huron Carol. (Hymn #114)
In 1643 a Canadian priest writes a carol in his adopted Native Huron language, using an older 16th c. French tune to help tell the story of Christmas. The saintly Father Jean de Brebeuf, a Jesuit missionary living with the Native Canadian Huron peoples, decided to write them a Christmas song using their language. He had lived among them for 22 years and was respectful of their culture and language. It is the oldest Canadian Christmas carol.
He would die with many of them in 1649 during a raid by a nearby Iroquois tribe.
One of the missionaries wrote: "The Indians have a particular devotion for the night that was enlightened by the birth of the Son of God. They built a small chapel of cedar and fir branches in honor of the manger of the Infant Jesus."
The Huron Carol deserves to be remembered and enjoyed because it speaks a deep truth about Christmas – that even in the darkest winter, there is the promise of light and new birth – for tonight Jesus is born for us and for the world.
We have the words from the original Huron (and French). And I want to read to you another translation into English…
Let Christians take heart today
The devil's rule is done;
Let no one heed the devil more,
For Jesus Christ is come
But hear ye all what angels sing:
How Mary Maid bare Jesus King.
Jesus is born. Jesous ahatonhia.
Three chieftains saw before Noel
A star as bright as day,
"So fair a sign," the chieftains said,
"Shall lead us where it may."
For Jesu told the chieftains three:
"The star will bring you here to me."
Jesus is born. Jesous ahatonhia.
The chieftains gave him gold and all,
When Jesu they did see;
And told Him tales of near and far
With joy and courtesie,
Now, come ye all, sing Jesukin,
Who hears the prayers of holy ones
Jesus is born. Jesous ahatonhia.
(and from the French…)
So let us all now come to Him
and offer Him our prayer,
Adore Him too and He in turn
His wealth with us will share.
For Saints us all He wants to be,
so hear His word that sets us free,
Jesus indeed is born, Jesus is born, Jesous ahatonhia.
(translations by H. Kierans, S.J. & D. Hegarty, S.J.)
Tonight, let us celebrate with Christians all over this world.
The holy child of earth and heaven Is born today for you and me.
Come kneel before the radiant Boy, Who brings you beauty, peace, and joy:
Jesus your king is born! Jesus is born: "In excelsis gloria!" Amen.
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