The Cold Comfort of the Last Full Moon 0f 2023

 

1 '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 wandering hunters heard the hymn:

Jesus your King is born,

Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.

Last evening our final guests departed after what were four busy and lovely days of Christmas in our household (more in the horizon this week!) Before we retreated to the house and climbed wearily up to bed we turned our gazes upward to the "moon of wintertime." Given that the past few days were marked by fog, fog, and more fog, the briefly clearing sky was a gfit. I think that 7 PM today is the actual full moon for December but it certainly appeared full last night. 

For many of us as Canadians the Huron Carol is a favourite of the season with an Indigenous flavour to it and a haunting tune. It is likely our oldest Canadian carol, probably written in 1642 by  Jesuit mIssionary Jean de Brebeuf at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons in what is now Ontario. 

The reality is that the music is a French folk tune and the words we sing aren't very close to the original. I've noted before that while we lived in Sudbury I had a visit with Laurentian University professor John Steckley who was reconstructing the long-defunct Wendat-Huron language. His translation of the carol is below.

Looking to the distant, not-so Cold Moon last night was comforting somehow, in this time of uncertainty and turmoil on planet Earth. So many other carols in this season of the birth of Christ invite us to consider heavenly hosts and a star of wonder. Why not include the moon in all its mysterious glory? 

Huron Carol

Have courage, you who are humans; Jesus, he is bornBehold, the spirit who had us as prisoners has fledDo not listen to it, as it corrupts the spirits of our mindsJesus, he is bornThey are spirits, sky people, coming with a message for usThey are coming to say, "Rejoice (Be on top of life)"Marie, she has just given birth. Rejoice"Jesus, he is born Three have left for such, those who are elders          Tichion, a star that has just appeared on the horizon leads them there He will seize the path, he who leads them there Jesus, he is bornAs they arrived there, where he was born, Jesusthe star was at the point of stopping, not far past itHaving found someone for them, he says, "Come here!"Jesus, he is bornBehold, they have arrived there and have seen Jesus,They praised (made a name) many times, sahying "Hurray, he is good in nature"They greeted him with reverence (greased his scalp many times), saying 'Hurray'Jesus, he is born"We will give to him praise for his name,Let us show reverence for him as he comes to be compassionate to us.It is providential that you love us and wish, 'I should adopt them.'"Jesus, he is born.
John Steckley translation