| Author | |
marihalojen
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 12 2006
Location: Florida
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1883
|
| Posted: Jan 23 2008 at 9:20am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
Spirit Child A Story of the Nativity
Translated from the Aztec by John Bierhorst
Illustrated by Barbara Cooney
Amazon Link
Key Words:
Aztec Nativity Jesus Mary Joseph Devil Gabriel Angels Franciscan Missionary Fray Bernardino de Sahagun Nahuatl Mexico Spanish Conquistadores Psalmodia Christiana
Composed in 1583 by the Franciscan Missionary Fray Bernardino de Sahagun, Spirit Child was written entirely in the Aztec language Nahuatl and was part of one of the first books published in the New World, the Psalmodia Christiana. It was originally chanted to the accompaniment of drums and that rhythm is still a driving force in this translation. John Bierhorst rediscovered it while writing an Aztec-English dictionary based on sources from the 1500s.
The book opens with a description of time before Jesus -
For five thousand years after the world began, the devil was king. He was proud and mean, and there was no one anywhere on earth who could save us from his hands.
Many people had been born who were strong and intelligent and who lived good lives, but they did not have the power to save either themselves or anyone else from the hands of the devil.
...But the name Jesus already existed before the world began...Oh child, remember how you were born long ago.
Barbara Cooney's painting for this section is a great Day of the Dead style illustration even including a border of the traditional marigolds.
Her illustrations for this book are vibrant and full of details - Quetzal plumed wings for Gabriel, Mary weaving on a backstrap loom and spinning with a drop spindle, and the Three Wise Men and Herod looking like they stepped right off the Florentine Codex.
The text combines stories from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke with traditional Aztec lore and medieval legends - like the night Jesus was born three suns appeared in the night sky and became one sun.
One of my favorite parts -
The lord God sent his messenger, the angel Gabriel. Down he came to the country of Galilee, to the city called Nazareth.
When he found the house where the young woman was living, he came in and stood beside her and spoke these holy words: "Hail Mary, full of grace, God is with you.
"O lady, you are blessed, you are worthy in God's eyes. You are the most fortunate of women. God has favored you. He has filled your soul with the power of life, and because of this you will be praised in all the world."
But when Mary heard these words she was troubled. She did not think she was worthy of the angel's greeting, because she was very meek. She began to reflect on it, thinking about the angel's message. Then she said, "Why should someone talk to me like this? Why should I be praised?"
The angel Gabriel's face came shining, the way the sun comes up making everything bright. His wings came gleaming, came glistening...
To read the story of the Nativity from the perspective of the Aztecs and the Missionaries at the time of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe is really neat. The Codex Escalada, a painting on deerskin which illustrates the apparition and discusses Juan Diego's death was signed by Bernardino de Sahagun, an awesome connection.
__________________
~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryM
Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
|
| Posted: Jan 23 2008 at 11:23am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh, how cool this sounds. I love the Spanish and Native history of the New World. Thank you Jennifer for recommending this.
__________________
Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
cathhomeschool
Board Moderator
Texas Bluebonnets
Joined: Jan 26 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7303
|
| Posted: Jan 28 2008 at 8:33pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
And my library has it. 
__________________
Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: Dec 14 2010 at 3:38pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
It's taken me two years to finally read Spirit Child, but it is a keeper! I'm adding this to our Guadalupe reading. The illustrations by Barbara Cooney are gorgeous.
The text was written by a Franciscan with an Aztec poet, and it's just so beautiful!
I gushed here. This is going to be one of my top books for Christmastime.
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
CatholicMommy
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2007
Location: Indiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1254
|
| Posted: Dec 14 2010 at 4:52pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh! I missed this one the first time around - thank you both for posting it and for refreshing the thread!
Adding to my wishlist! 
__________________
Garden of Francis
HS Elementary Montessori Training
Montessori Nuggets
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Erin
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
|
| Posted: Dec 14 2010 at 6:46pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Jenn
I had just read your gush and was most inspired. As I picked up book reserves at the library yesterday I gave thanks to all the ladies here for their wonderful suggestions over the years, the treasure we otherwise wouldn't have found.  
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Carole N.
Forum All-Star
Joined: Oct 28 2006
Location: Wales
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4484
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2010 at 6:01am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I read your gush as well, Jenn. And now I am trying to locate a copy. You know how special Our Lady of Guadalupe is to our family!
__________________
 Carole ... in Wales
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SeaStar
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068
|
| Posted: Dec 15 2010 at 6:41am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Betterworld books had two copies last night for $3.48 each (with free shipping)
__________________
Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Picture Book Discoveries
Topic: Spirit Child
