Spirit Child: A Story of the Nativity

by Bernardino de Sahagún

An English translation of the Aztec version of the birth of Jesus Christ told in 1583.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday, Spirituality, Childrens, Cultural, Religion

32 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally contained in Bernardino de Sahagún's Psalmodia Christiana - a collection of religious texts written entirely in Aztec, and published in 1583, it was one of the first books printed in the western hemisphere - the tale of "Spirit Child" is an Aztec version of the Christian Nativity story. Translator John Bierhorst stumbled across it in manuscript form, while working on an Aztec dictionary, and gives the manuscript pages on which it can be found, in the brief afterword. Translated into English and presented as a picture-book, the story makes its modern debut here, illustrated by the marvelous Barbara Cooney.

Familiar and unfamiliar by turn, Spirit Child: A Story of the Nativity is a fascinating book to peruse, both for its sometimes original take on the story of Jesus' birth, and for its colorful artwork by Cooney, who apparently traveled to Mexico to do research for her illustrations. I thought some of the vocabulary used, and the means of describing various elements of the story - Joseph is described as being still "a boy," because he does not engage in sexual relations with Mary, for instance - reveal the struggle Sahagún and his assistants must have had, in translating such a culturally alien story for an Aztec audience. Recommended to anyone looking for a different kind of Nativity story, as well as to anyone interested in Aztec culture and language.

[Jonathan Kemmerer-Scovner · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The text is preserved in Sahagun's Psalmodia Christiana (Mexico, 1583)," reads the tiny print on the copyright page. This was a book written entirely in the Aztec language and one of the first books to be published in the so-called New World.

It was actually translated into English specifically for this picture book. Bierhorst, the translator, happened across the tale while writing an Aztec-English dictionary based on sources from the 1500s. The artist, Cooney, traveled to Mexico City and the surroundings in order to properly illustrate it. Needless to say, this is not the same old Nativity story you've heard before.

We begin in the shadow of a smoking volcano. Families appear to be running for their lives. "For 5000 years after the world began, the devil was king," we read.

The devil looks like he is culled from a Mexican Day of the Dead celebration. There he sits, in the bowl of the volcano, a grinning, eye-less skeleton dressed in bird feathers and smoking a pipe. Skeleton girls fan him and dance for his pleasure while naked children suffer in the flames before him.

"But the name Jesus already existed before the world began. This was always his name, even before he was born," we read. "O spirit, I child, you are the flame, you are the light of the almighty father. O child, remember how you were born long ago."

Gabriel comes to visit Mary, wearing a loin cloth with green wings, bearing flowers and a fan, proclaiming, "Hail Mary, full of grace! Listen, I will tell you a great mystery."

I love that. "I will tell you a great mystery."

O spirit child! All the people of the world are waiting for you. We are prisoners tied in chains, and you can save us. You are the light and we are in darkness.

http://www.picturebooksreview.com/201...

https://www.facebook.com/picturebooks...

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of the birth of Jesus, told in the Aztec tradition. Contains all the familiar parts of the nativity but adds lines of heartfelt rejoicing - "The skies will be glad, and the earth will dance."
The author's amazement and joy in telling the story are contagious; this is definitely my new favorite version of the nativity story.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would have received 5 stars, except for one incorrect statement from Fray Bernardino de Sahagun, who composed this version of the nativity story. He states "His (Jesus) holiness and mysteriousness are exactly the same as the holiness and mysteriousness of God the Father himself. It is God the Father who has become a human being and has come to live among us."
Actually, it was God the Father who sent God the Son to become incarnate, live among us, and sacrifice himself for our sins.
Otherwise, the story is rooted in the early Christian gospels, and influenced by European traditions of the late middle ages, and by Aztec lore. It was first composed in the language of the Aztecs in the mid 1500s. The text tells of the miracles that surrounded the nativity, and the defeat of the devil. Cooney's paintings depict brown-skinned, black-haired people in ancient Aztec clothing, and authentic details of Aztec culture. The paintings are flat and smooth, the colors warm and glowing.

[ConnieLettow · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When the sun in the sky, which is Jesus, appeared that night, it was three suns. People were amazed. Then again the three suns in the sky became one. It was the middle of the night whe the spirit child Jesus was born. Yet, everywhere in the world it became light. ...a fountain of sweet oil appeared in Rome. ...the grapevines miraculously blossomed in Jerusalem... when the noble child Jesus our ruler was born, there was suddenly peace in all the world."
Fun stuff. Really. I love this book.

[Candi Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. The Aztec/ Catholic interpretation of the Nativity story was an interesting comparison to the biblical account. The pictures are beautiful and have a definite Aztec influence. I would caution people to enjoy it from a literary and cultural perspective, but go to the bible for the facts of the story.

[Hilary Forrest · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting combination of Christianity, Aztec folklore and legends, this is the story of the birth of Christ. I like some of the twists of how the Aztecs may have thought of Jesus as they were introduced to him by missionaries. Nice illustrations as well.

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really interesting. A translation of an Aztec-style retelling of the birth of Christ. The illustrations were beautiful. DO NOT skip the note at the back of the book. It provides important contextual information.

[Cheriwinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a delight to hear the story of Jesus’s birth from the Aztec viewpoint. The illustrations are beautiful. This is a great version to share leading up to Christmas!

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so neat to read and I loved the accompanying pictures by the incredible Barbara Cooney!

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sprit Child tells the story of young Native American boy having to make decisions. The tale of this story is originally from early Christian gospels but now is being retold from the view point of a different culture. At the beginning it is not familiar but after a few pages, it is clear that this is the story of the birth of Jesus Christ--just in a different way and from a different perspective. When the Aztec mother gives birth to the baby, traditionally known as Jesus, she calls him Sprit Child. This book could be used in a unit on religion, probably for older children. The combination of perspectives could provide the framework on an interesting class discussion on religion.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aztec text, originally composed by missionary Fray Bernardino de Sahagun with the help of Aztec poets, was translated into English by scholar John Bierhorst and forms the narrative of this interesting Christmas book. Illustrator Barbara Cooney researched small towns and settlements near Mexico City before creating the unusual artwork (which reminded me a bit of Frida Kahlo's work). This cultural picture book gives readers (both children and adults) valuable perspectives on the story of the devil as the king of earth and how spirit child (Jesus) brought peace and salvation to the earth.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book combines Aztec folklore with the Story of Jesus’ birth. Originally translated to the Aztec language in the 1500s by missionaries, it has recently (1984) been translated into English from the Aztec and was gorgeously depicted by Barbara Cooney illustrations, bringing in the familiar nativity scenes with a beautiful Aztec flare. The style of the reading is narrative and delightful. Originally it was told to the beat of drums, what an experience that would’ve been! I highly recommend giving this unique book a look and read-see.

[Jacob Hutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on the birth of Christ, text follows the traditional Biblical story but the illustrations represent Aztec/Mayan Native Americans.

[Cathy Houston · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting retelling of the nativity translated from the Aztec