
With an intention of learning more about our history with First Nation’s people, the theme was, ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime, a Canadian Christmas hymn written by Jean de Brébeuf. The children enacted the scene with “new” characters, costumes, and props: hunters came with pine bows for beds, their families came with bannock, pine tea, and leather moccasins; chiefs came with beaver and fox pelts; angels came with songs; Jesus was wrapped in faux rabbit skin; instead of sheep there were deer. When the scene was complete, the volunteers remained in situ as the congregation sang the hymn, Twas in the Moon of Wintertime.
This same Christmas, the Christ candle was lit in the centre of the Advent wreath – an Advent wreath with coloured ribbons (red, black, white, yellow) signifying the First Nation circle of people and directions.