"Twas in the Moon of wintertime"

It is Christmas Eve and the church faces two services, with some people attending both. The early service is particularly conscious of families with children. The community has decided that each year, the sermon time, is a live building of a nativity scene in conversation with children who volunteer to be characters. Over the years, children would volunteer for parts as they were called out. Individually they came forward for conversation reflecting on the birth of Jesus, and to be dressed as an innkeeper, Mary, Joseph, an angel, the star, a sheep, et cetera. Discussions included: the sights, the sounds, the smells, the character’s feelings. Scenes have included: the nativity scene in North America today and who the characters would be now; a simple scene with children bringing gifts for the baby – all the items needed to make a baby bundle for Canada Lutheran World Relief.

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.

---