'Twas in the Moon of wintertime - Hymn with Lyrics

 

1. ’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 wand'ring hunters heard the hymn:

Refrain:
Jesus your king is born!
Jesus is born,
in excelsis gloria!

2. 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: [Refrain]

3. 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. [Refrain]

4. O children of the forest free,
the angel song is true;
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. [Refrain]

Scripture; 

Luke 2; 

Matthew 2; 

Matthew 1:23

 

The hymn "‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime", also known as "The Huron Carol", was written in 1642 by Jean de Brébeuf, a Jesuit missionary in Canada. Brébeuf, who was working among the Huron (or Wyandot) people in what is now Ontario, wrote the hymn in their native language, using familiar cultural imagery to convey the Christmas story.

It was later translated into English in the 19th century by J. K. M. (John Keele Morton), and the English version became widely known. The hymn is one of the oldest Canadian Christmas carols and is distinct for its reference to Indigenous culture and its use of natural imagery relevant to the Huron people at the time. 

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