The Huron Carol

Children's Literature

Father Jean de Brebeuf was a seventeenth century missionary among the Huron people in Canada. With more awareness of native sensibilities than most Europeans, Father Jean translated many books into the Huron language. He wrote the lyrics and song for this carol which tells the story of Jesus' birth in a Huron context. The babe is swathed in fur, lying in a wooden hut, visited by Indian chieftains. This is a lovely and eye-opening way to think about the Christmas story even as it opens the door to conversations about the role of missionaries about native populations. All the verses and the sheet music for the carol are provided, including verses in Huron and French. The illustrations are richly detailed with great pains taken to provide accurate clothing for the native Chieftains when they are visiting the manger. The lyrics and images are surrounded by the constellations that would actually have been in the December sky in 1648.The only detracting detail is the sameness of all the faces, from angels to natives. We learn in the author's notes that the Grand Chief of the Huron-Wendate Nation feels the carol remains part of the common history of Quebec City, including its two thousand Huron-Wendate residents. 2003, Eerdmans, Ages 4 up.
— Karen Leggett