Carols from Around the World

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Geertgen tot Sint Jans,  
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
 
 
First American Christmas Carol was written by Fr. John de Brébeuf, a Jesuit priest who worked among the Huron Indians

The Huron Carol by Fr. de Brébeuf

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 wond'ring hunters heard the hymn:
Jesus, your King is born,
Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.

O, harken to the angels' word,
Do not decline
To heed the message which you heard:
The Child Divine,
As they proclaim, has come this morn
Of Mary pure. Let us adore.
Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.

Within a lodge of broken bark
The tender Babe was found,
A ragged robe of rabbit skin
Enwrapp'd His beauty 'round;
But as the hunter braves drew nigh,
The angel song rang loud and high:
Jesus, your King is born,
Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.

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.
Jesus, your King is born,
Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.

O children of the forest free,
O sons 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.
Jesus, your King is born,
Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.



A Christmas Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson (Scotland)

Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.



Rev. Brooks was the Bishop of Massachusetts for the Episcopal Church.

O Little Town of Bethlehem by Phillips Brooks - (1867)

O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in,
be born in us today.



Traditional Spanish Carol

A la nanita nana, nanita ea, nanita ea,
Sleep, sleep my little Jesus,
May peace attend Thee, may peace attendThee.
To the world, little Savior, New hope thou'rt bringing
All the world, little Savior, Thy praises singing,
God's angels hov'ring o'er Thee chant alleluia.
A la nanita nana, nanita ea.



African/Zulu Carol: Words by Rae Tomlin

I warm my son upon my breast
As Mary, Mary warmed you,
O, Inkosi Jesus, O, Inkosi, Jesus.
I feel his life, I feel his strength
And his gentle quiet breathing.
O, Inkosi Jesus, O, Inkosi Jesus.
I hear my people singing their song,
Singing, singing in the wind,
O, Inkosi Jesus, O, Inkosi Jesus.
The sighing of the yellow grass
Keeps him softly, sweetly dreaming.
O, Inkosi Jesus, O, Inkosi Jesus.
The kaffir-boom lifts her arms above,
Praising, praising only you,
O, Inkosi Jesus, O, Inkosi Jesus.
O give us your hope, O give us your strength,
O give us, give us gentle love.
O, Inkosi Jesus, O, Inkosi Jesus.




Angels from Heaven - Hungarian

Angels from Heaven say to the shepherds,
"News we bring, news we bring!
In Bethlehem, asleep in a manger,
Lies your King, Lies your King!"

"Though born so lowly, yet He is holy,
God's own Son, God's own Son!
He comes to earth to ransom and save you
Ev'ry one, ev'ry one!
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