The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned…. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7.
For a few months now we have been recounting the stories of Native American women. European missionaries brought the story of Christ’s salvation to “people walking in darkness” so that they could see “a great light.” Many Native Americans have adapted their culture to the European traditions brought to them.
Numerous indigenous people have been converted to Christ and they celebrate Christmas. Customs such as native dress, dancing, and storytelling are very important to indigenous peoples. Though traditions vary from tribe-to-tribe most members choose to mix European Christmas traditions, such as the decorated Christmas tree and a manger scene with native customs, such as dances honoring Indian heritage and beliefs.
Stories and Songs
You can find specific Native American adaptations of Christmas traditions such as the Christmas Carol. The Huron people have an original Christmas Carol that tells the story of Christ in the manger.
The story is told in native Huron language:
“Aloki ekwatatennonten shekwachiendaen
Iontonk ontatiande ndio sen tsatonnharonnion
Ouarie onnawakueton ndio sen tsatonnharonnion
Iesous ahatonnia!”
The carol was first translated to French, then English:
“Within a lodge of broken bark
The tender Babe was found,
A ragged robe of rabbit skin
Wrapped 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.”
Huron legend says the ancient people built a nativity of fir trees, featuring Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus as Indians, the Wise Men as chiefs, and animals such as a bear, a fox, and a buffalo in attendance. Some may find this story off-putting because it is not accurate historically. We know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. But let us remember this is an imaginative song, its origins seem to be very old, and Native Americans use stories to teach. This story teaches Native children that Jesus is King in a way that children can relate to. When the children are older and go to school they can learn the historical facts. To know and love Jesus is the most important thing.
Another interesting version of a favorite western story, “Night Before Christmas”, was written by Gary Robinson. Gary is an award-winning filmmaker who has worked to create content for dozens of Native American educational, informational, and documentary television projects. He has authored sixteen books including eight books for teens in the Pathfinders[1] series.
The illustrator, Jesse Hummingbird, an elder in the Cherokee nation, was an artist famed for helping to keep Cherokee art and culture alive. He became a full-time artist in the early 1980s, using a traditional “flat-style” that was made famous by earlier Native Oklahoma artists. In 2017, he was awarded a National Treasure, an honor given by the tribe to those who are helping to keep Cherokee art and culture alive.
Below are just a few verses from “Night Before Christmas”.[2]
“T’was the night before Christmas, when all through the tipi
Not a creature was stirring – nothing crawly, nothing creepy.
Moccasins were hung from the lodgepoles with care,
In hope that Old Red Shirt in time would be there.
The kids were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visons of chokecherries danced in their heads.”
….
“And then, like smoke rising into the night,
He gave me a wink and took to his flight.
Up through the smoke hole, into his sleigh,
Waking his team with a hearty “Hoka-hey!”
And I heard him exclaim as the roared out of sight,
‘Merry Christmas to All My Relations and to all a ‘goot’ night!’”
Festivals and Dancing
There are over 300 federally recognized Native American tribes in the U.S. The traditions vary from one tribe to the next. Here are a few of the Christmas traditions that they have incorporated into their Christmas celebrations.
Many tribes, such as the Laguna Indians, accepted Christ as much as 400 years ago. They have had a long-standing tradition of a dance on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. They also give gifts at the manger. Gifts have been an important part of tribal customs, and they give presents throughout the year, but Christmas is a special time of gift-giving.
For many Native Americans, maintaining their cultural and historical integrity is very important. This focus helps to preserve the “old ways” as part of tribal tradition. Many tribal members choose to mix European Christmas traditions, such as the decorated Christmas tree and a manger scene with native customs, such as dances honoring Indian heritage and beliefs.
In some tribes there is no Santa Claus in their vocabulary so they have dubbed Santa, “Old Red Shirt”. In other traditions, “The Handsome Fellow” is a friendly person who hands out candy and gifts to children. In a Creek legend, a leader named Chief Hobbythacco, translated “handsome fellow”, was responsible for the gift giving. Chiefs were given gifts throughout the year, especially during the summer months, and then they would in turn share their bounty with members of the tribe. In this tradition, the Handsome Fellow leaves the presents on Christmas Day. Many tribes have been westernized and teach their children that it is Santa Claus who leaves the presents.
Christmas is a time of gratitude and is accompanied with great feasting. Many tribes will focus on traditional Native American food. Christmas Pow Wows take place across the United States each year. Native Americans enjoy public celebrations. These social events help to hold the tribe together. Just as in other Christian groups, folks meet and greet and share stories of their families.
At these celebrations, young people are given an opportunity to mingle with the elders. They participate in the blend of traditions which is passed on to each new generation establishing the continuity of family and tribal heritage. And so, the Joy of Christmas is celebrated by Native American families as they combine western historical Christmas traditions with their Native traditions.
This Christmas season it is my prayer that we will remember that Christ came to bring Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all people no matter their culture. Jesus is our Prince of Peace. Let us follow His example to bring goodwill to all men.
[1] Pathfinders are a worldwide organization of young people sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, though young people of any religious persuasion, or none at all, are welcome and encouraged to join the organization. Find out more at: https://www.clubministries.org/pathfinders/
[2] You can find many more Native American traditions at: “Native American Christmas Traditions”, https://www.lovetoknow.com/celebrations/christmas/native-american-christmas-traditions, If you purchase the book, “Night Before Christmas” by Gary Robinson, you will enjoy the many explanations for the traditional tribal references such as “Hoka-hey”.
Merry Christmas – 2024
The angel song rang loud and high:
Jesus, your King is born, Jesus is born, In excelsis gloria.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned…. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7.
For a few months now we have been recounting the stories of Native American women. European missionaries brought the story of Christ’s salvation to “people walking in darkness” so that they could see “a great light.” Many Native Americans have adapted their culture to the European traditions brought to them.
Numerous indigenous people have been converted to Christ and they celebrate Christmas. Customs such as native dress, dancing, and storytelling are very important to indigenous peoples. Though traditions vary from tribe-to-tribe most members choose to mix European Christmas traditions, such as the decorated Christmas tree and a manger scene with native customs, such as dances honoring Indian heritage and beliefs.
Stories and Songs
You can find specific Native American adaptations of Christmas traditions such as the Christmas Carol. The Huron people have an original Christmas Carol that tells the story of Christ in the manger.
The story is told in native Huron language:
“Aloki ekwatatennonten shekwachiendaen
Iontonk ontatiande ndio sen tsatonnharonnion
Ouarie onnawakueton ndio sen tsatonnharonnion
Iesous ahatonnia!”
The carol was first translated to French, then English:
“Within a lodge of broken bark
The tender Babe was found,
A ragged robe of rabbit skin
Wrapped 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.”
Huron legend says the ancient people built a nativity of fir trees, featuring Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus as Indians, the Wise Men as chiefs, and animals such as a bear, a fox, and a buffalo in attendance. Some may find this story off-putting because it is not accurate historically. We know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. But let us remember this is an imaginative song, its origins seem to be very old, and Native Americans use stories to teach. This story teaches Native children that Jesus is King in a way that children can relate to. When the children are older and go to school they can learn the historical facts. To know and love Jesus is the most important thing.
Another interesting version of a favorite western story, “Night Before Christmas”, was written by Gary Robinson. Gary is an award-winning filmmaker who has worked to create content for dozens of Native American educational, informational, and documentary television projects. He has authored sixteen books including eight books for teens in the Pathfinders[1] series.
The illustrator, Jesse Hummingbird, an elder in the Cherokee nation, was an artist famed for helping to keep Cherokee art and culture alive. He became a full-time artist in the early 1980s, using a traditional “flat-style” that was made famous by earlier Native Oklahoma artists. In 2017, he was awarded a National Treasure, an honor given by the tribe to those who are helping to keep Cherokee art and culture alive.
Below are just a few verses from “Night Before Christmas”.[2]
“T’was the night before Christmas, when all through the tipi
Not a creature was stirring – nothing crawly, nothing creepy.
Moccasins were hung from the lodgepoles with care,
In hope that Old Red Shirt in time would be there.
The kids were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visons of chokecherries danced in their heads.”
….
“And then, like smoke rising into the night,
He gave me a wink and took to his flight.
Up through the smoke hole, into his sleigh,
Waking his team with a hearty “Hoka-hey!”
And I heard him exclaim as the roared out of sight,
‘Merry Christmas to All My Relations and to all a ‘goot’ night!’”
Festivals and Dancing
There are over 300 federally recognized Native American tribes in the U.S. The traditions vary from one tribe to the next. Here are a few of the Christmas traditions that they have incorporated into their Christmas celebrations.
Many tribes, such as the Laguna Indians, accepted Christ as much as 400 years ago. They have had a long-standing tradition of a dance on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. They also give gifts at the manger. Gifts have been an important part of tribal customs, and they give presents throughout the year, but Christmas is a special time of gift-giving.
For many Native Americans, maintaining their cultural and historical integrity is very important. This focus helps to preserve the “old ways” as part of tribal tradition. Many tribal members choose to mix European Christmas traditions, such as the decorated Christmas tree and a manger scene with native customs, such as dances honoring Indian heritage and beliefs.
In some tribes there is no Santa Claus in their vocabulary so they have dubbed Santa, “Old Red Shirt”. In other traditions, “The Handsome Fellow” is a friendly person who hands out candy and gifts to children. In a Creek legend, a leader named Chief Hobbythacco, translated “handsome fellow”, was responsible for the gift giving. Chiefs were given gifts throughout the year, especially during the summer months, and then they would in turn share their bounty with members of the tribe. In this tradition, the Handsome Fellow leaves the presents on Christmas Day. Many tribes have been westernized and teach their children that it is Santa Claus who leaves the presents.
Christmas is a time of gratitude and is accompanied with great feasting. Many tribes will focus on traditional Native American food. Christmas Pow Wows take place across the United States each year. Native Americans enjoy public celebrations. These social events help to hold the tribe together. Just as in other Christian groups, folks meet and greet and share stories of their families.
At these celebrations, young people are given an opportunity to mingle with the elders. They participate in the blend of traditions which is passed on to each new generation establishing the continuity of family and tribal heritage. And so, the Joy of Christmas is celebrated by Native American families as they combine western historical Christmas traditions with their Native traditions.
This Christmas season it is my prayer that we will remember that Christ came to bring Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all people no matter their culture. Jesus is our Prince of Peace. Let us follow His example to bring goodwill to all men.
[1] Pathfinders are a worldwide organization of young people sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, though young people of any religious persuasion, or none at all, are welcome and encouraged to join the organization. Find out more at: https://www.clubministries.org/pathfinders/
[2] You can find many more Native American traditions at: “Native American Christmas Traditions”, https://www.lovetoknow.com/celebrations/christmas/native-american-christmas-traditions, If you purchase the book, “Night Before Christmas” by Gary Robinson, you will enjoy the many explanations for the traditional tribal references such as “Hoka-hey”.
Blog Categories
Look at this cross. Oh, how beautiful it is! It has been my whole happiness during my life, and I advise you also to make it yours.
Blog Categories