“All honour to the One Above Us All, and let peace and good will follow all who walk upon the earth.” This is a translation of the message brought by the “great number of spirit-warriors from the spirit-world above” who appeared to shepherds in nearby fields keeping watch over their sheep, part of the great birth story of “Creator Sets Free” (Jesus) that Christians share on this night."
The quotes above come from the First Nation’s Version, “An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament.” (Intervarsity Press, copyright 2021 by Rain Ministries, Inc. Used with permission) The book’s dedication reads:
"This translation of the good story is dedicated to the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (North America) – the Tribal Nations that call this land home. We pray the First Nations Version will bring healing to those who have suffered under the dominance of colonial governments who, with the help of churches and missionary organizations, often took our land, our languages, our cultures, and even our children. As our Tribal Nations work hard to reclaim what has been stolen, it is our hope that the colonial language that was forced upon us can now serve our people in a good way, by presenting Creator Sets Free (Jesus) in a more culturally relevant context."
The First Nations Version is the creation of an all-Indigenous Translation Council and broad consultation with diverse Indigenous communities. To read the birth story of Creator Sets Free (Jesus) in this new translation gives new insight and understanding to the traditional Christmas story.
"The time for Bitter Tears (Mary) to have her child was upon her! But no place could be found in the lodging house, so He Gives Sons (Joseph) ‘found a sheep cave where it was warm and dry.’ There she gave birth to her son. They wrapped him in a soft, warm blanket and ‘laid him on a baby board.’ Then they placed him on a bed of straw in a feeding trough."
"That night, in the fields nearby, shepherds were keeping watch over their sheep. Suddenly a great light from above was shining all around them. A Spirit-messenger from Creator appeared to them. They shook with fear and trembled as the messenger said to them, “Do not fear! I bring you the good story that will be told to all nations. Today in the village of Much Loved One (David) an Honoured Chief has been born who will set his people free. He is the Chosen One!” (p. 105)
“Bitter Tears” (Mary) describes the heart and circumstances of this young mother and her family, and so also young women in childbirth and children and families in our time, in Indigenous communities, across the world, and in our own neighbourhoods. People without adequate homes or healthcare, finding shelter where they can, and caring for one another and keeping warm and dry as they are able. And precisely here, Creator joins humanity, in this newborn child, this young family, in poverty. And it is not to the powerful, but to nighttime labourers that Creator’s spirit-messenger comes announcing the good story of an Honoured Chief born to this poor family, the Chosen One to set people free. And as a great number of spirit-warrior’s proclaimed, it is indeed the night, the time, for “All honour to the One Above Us All,” and for all of us to work tirelessly together that “peace and good will follow all who walk upon the earth,” and for the earth itself. Let it be so. In all our relations.
Rev. Lyle McKenzie is Co-Pastor of Lutheran Church of the Cross and a UVic Multifaith Co-Chaplain
You can read more articles on our interfaith blog, Spiritually Speaking at https://www.timescolonist.com/blogs/spiritually-speaking
* This article was published in the print edition of the Times Colonist on Saturday, December 24th 2022
