Twas in the moon of wintertime

          (The first North American Christmas carol)*

Twas in the moon of wintertime
When all the birds had fled,
That God, the Lord of all the earth,
Sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim,
And wond’ring hunters heard the hymn:
Jesus your King is born! Jesus is born!
Glory be to God on high!

The earliest moon of wintertime
Is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory
Around the infant there.
And when the shepherds then drew near
The angel voices rang out clear:
Jesus your King is born! Jesus is born!
Glory be to God on high!

O children of the forest free,
The angels’ song is true.
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!
Glory be to God on high!

 

*Written in 1640 in the Huron language by the Jesuit priest, Jean de Brebeuf. It was sung by the tribe until 1649 when the Iroquois destroyed the Jesuit mission, killed de Brebeuf, and drove the Hurons out. Many survivors fled to Quebec where the carol re-emerged and was translated into English and French. It is beloved throughout Canada today.