The Magnificat's Meditation of the Day for Tuesday was "Huron Carol". It was the first North American Christmas carol. The song was written by Jesuit father and North American martyr Saint Jean de Brebeuf
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| pencil drawing by Helen Hull Hitchcock |
in Quebec, Canada, where he was a missionary to the Huron people. The words are not exactly the same as in the devotional, but I think they both express the love Brebeuf felt for Jesus and the Huron people.
Below are the lyrics that I found here.
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 wond'ring hunters heard the hymn:
Jesus, your King is born,
Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.
O, harken to the angels' word,
Do not decline
To heed the message which you heard:
The Child Divine,
As they proclaim, has come this morn
Of Mary pure. Let us adore.
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 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.
- See more at: http://www.adoremus.org/1299-100-Huron.html#sthash.npcbymt4.dpuf
other renditions of the carol can be found on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcT0Sh4TRmk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv8WgjciDUg&list=PL240024A04CC85E20
