Discussions

Its sometimes-called “Twas in the Moon of Wintertime”, and is Canada’s oldest Christmas song, having been written by Jean de Brebeuf, a Jesuit Missionary at Sainte-Marie among the Huron’s in Canada.  
 
It was written in the language of the Huron Natives, and the songs original native title was “Jesous Ahatonhia”, meaning ‘Jesus is born’.  
 
The melody of the song is based on a traditional French folk song named ‘Une jeune Pucelle’ (A young maid).  
Jesse Edgar Middleton wrote the English lyrics in 1926. He used images from the original Huron religious concepts.  
 
Instead of the Nativity scene, Jesus was born in a Lodge of broken bark, and wrapped in a robe of Rabbit skin. Instead of Shepherd’s Hunters surrounded him, and the Three Wise Men are represented by Chiefs from afar who bring him gifts of Fox and Beaver pelts.  
 
As was the way in those days, North America was filled with Warring First Nation Tribes. In 1694 the Iroquois Nation overwhelmed the entire Huronia district. On March 16th Jean De Brebeuf died by the torturing hands of the invading Iroquois at St. Ignace, he was fifty-six years old.  
 
In 1930, Brebeuf was Canonized along with seven other Missionaries who are collectively known as the “North American Martyrs.”  
 
In 1956 his hand wrought coffin was discovered at Fort Ste. Marie, Midland Ontario.  
 
St. Jean de Brebeuf holds many Honours:  
 
The first Apostle to the Hurons  
 
The first true Ethnographer of the New World  
 
The Patron Saint of Canada  
 
His life is celebrated in perpetual memory on October 19th each year, his Feast Day.  
 
Note: Ethnography is the branch of Anthropology that deals with the scientific description of specific human cultures.  
 
Source: The Christian Heritage School Christmas Concert 2009.  
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huron_Carol