The Huron Carol

The Huron Carol was written by a Jesuit missionary to Canada in the mid 1600’s originally in the Wyandot language of the Huron Native Americans. I love the ways that the traditional Christmas imagery is transformed into the North American context. I have included links below to two of my favorite picture book versions of this Carol that I use with children in our congregation.

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 Heav’n
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.

Here are links to two of my favorite picture book versions of this carol.
The HuronCarol, Illustrated by Frances Tyrrell

The HuronCarol, Illustrate by Ian Wallace