In commenting on a post on the memorial of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha last July, Joel Garver spoke of the North American Martyrs and I remarked that stories of their heroism were staples of my early school days. They were men of quite extraordinary dedication and strength, preaching the Gospel, learning tribal languages and customs, enduring privation and brutal weather, sharing the faith: heroic witnesses even to the point of cruel and tortured deaths.



The memorial for these French Jesuit missionaries is observed on 19 October, but one of their number, Saint Jean de Brebeuf, was born in Normandy on this solemn Feast of the Annunciation in 1593. Among the gifts of his exemplary ministry is the Huron Christmas hymn 'Twas In The Moon Of Wintertime.





’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 wondering hunters heard the hymn:



Refrain



Jesus your King is born,

Jesus is born,

In excelsis gloria.



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



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



O children of the forest free,

O seed 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.



Refrain