Dec 5 Huron Carol

Dec 5 Huron Carol (Twas In the Moon of Winter Time)
http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/cmascorner/Huron.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huron_Carol
http://cockburnproject.net/songs&music/ia.html

'Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled
That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim and wondering 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 enwrapped 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 seed 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.

Words: Jean de Brebeuf, ca. 1643; trans by Jesse Edgar Middleton, 1926
Music: French Canadian melody (tune name: Jesous Ahatonhia)

The "Huron Carol" (or "'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime") is Canada's oldest Christmas song, written in 1643 by Jean de Brébeuf, a Jesuit missionary at Sainte-Marie among the Huron in Canada. He used the native language of the Huron/Wendat First Nation in writing this song, whose original Huron title is "Jesous Ahatonhia" ("Jesus, he is born"). The song's melody is a traditional French folk song, “Une Jeune Pucelle” ("A Young Maid").

Father Brebeuf acquired fame and martyrdom soon after writing the carol, when he and other priests were ceremonially barbecued by members of the Iroquois confederacy, who went on to virtually eliminate the Huron and their culture. The British, who wanted control of territory that had been claimed by the French, encouraged this massacre so they could acquire land that had traditionally belonged to the Huron. The few Huron who survived the wars were mostly absorbed into Iroquois communities. A few did remain with the French colonies. Their descendants inhabit a couple of villages in modern Quebec, but their language remained unspoken and has largely been lost.

Here is a direct, non-Anglicized translation from the original language:

Have courage, you who are human beings: Jesus, he is born
The okie spirit who enslaved us has fled
Don't listen to him for he corrupts the spirits of our thoughts
Jesus, he is born

The okie spirits who live in the sky are coming with a message
They're coming to say, "Rejoice!
Mary has given birth. Rejoice!"
Jesus, he is born

Three men of great authority have left for the place of his birth
Tiscient, the star appearing over the horizon leads them there
That star will walk first on the bath to guide them
Jesus, he is born

The star stopped not far from where Jesus was born
Having found the place it said,
"Come this way"
Jesus, he is born

As they entered and saw Jesus they praised his name
They oiled his scalp many times, anointing his head
with the oil of the sunflower
Jesus, he is born

They say, "Let us place his name in a position of honour
Let us act reverently towards him for he comes to show us mercy
It is the will of the spirits that you love us, Jesus,
and we wish that we may be adopted into your family
Jesus, he is born

Craft: Native American, papoose baby, Native lodge
http://www.makingfriends.com/scouts/swap_dreamcatcher.htm in C’mas colors
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/na/rattle/