First Light at Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons
This beautiful historic village, not far from the Georgian Bay, turns into a winter wonderland around Christmas time. For more information about the village itself, please refer to the following article on my website here.
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First Light!
The event takes place in a 17th-century French Jesuit Mission, and the first European settlement in Ontario. Once you cross over the gates and into the village, you will be presented with a dazzling display of lights. On display are thousand of lanterns that give the whole experience a powerful effect.
The religious mission looks dazzling lit up. The path are delineated by the lights and will help you guide your way through the complex and then back out.
Not only will you find recreations mimicking the French colonial period but also that showing how the French adapted to the first nations technology and way of life. This is most clear when visiting the longhouses.
Among the most interesting colonial displays is the blacksmith shop!
The central structure of the complex is the church, and it is the most decorated building in the complex. Many of the paths lead back to this building where you will be able to warm yourself by an outdoor fire.
Be sure to check out the shrine dedicated to Jean de Brébeuf. This French missionary was canonized as a saint after he and another missionary were captured during an Iroquois raid and tortured to death in 1649. Brebeuf had traveled to New France (now Canada) in 1625 where he worked with the Huron (Wyandot) people as a missionary. Like most of the Jesuits, he was an educated man and he understood to role of linguistics in exchanging complex religious ideas. As such he learned the Huron’s language and culture, and summarizing his work in writing to aid other missionaries.
Why this grim anecdote about this missionary, especially since this is about christmas? It is because Brébeuf is credited with composing a little tune by the name of the “Huron Carol”. This is Canada’s oldest Christmas song, dating from 1642 and originally written in the Huronic/Wendat language. It was based on a traditional French folk song by the name of “Une Jeune Pucelle” (A Young Maid).
On a lighter note there are a lot of for Christmas goodies lying around including this naughty or nice list.
Just walk around and take in the festive vibes as this is one of the more interesting Christmas experiences I have had.
Be sure to catch the fireworks before you leave! They spectacle looks amazing among the wood constructions.
