Inclusive Language? Bah! Humbug!

John Mason Neale's efforts were not very well rewarded in his day--he was thought to be too Romish and his High Church ritualism was suspected by the hierarchy of the Church of England, stung by Blessed John Henry Newman's defection to the Church of Rome. Therefore when he established an order of Anglican nuns to help serve the poor:

Neale was [once] attacked and mauled at a funeral of one of the Sisters. From time to time unruly crowds threatened to stone him or to burn his house. He received no honor or preferment in England, and his doctorate was bestowed by an American college (Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut).

Today, however, he is honored in the Church of England on its Kalendar of "Saints" on August 7th.

One way to honor him to day is to print his translations and lyrics as he wrote them! Inclusive language ruins some hymns, including his "Good Christian Men, Rejoice" which now appears in some hymnals as "Good Christian Friends, Rejoice"! [Anthony Esolen examines the results of other tinkering with beautiful hymns in this article from Crisis magazine.]

Good Christian men, rejoice

With heart, and soul, and voice;

Give ye heed to what we say:

News! News!

Jesus Christ was born to-day:

Ox and ass before Him bow,

And He is in the manger now.

Christ is born today!

Christ is born today.

Good Christian men, rejoice,

With heart, and soul, and voice;

Now ye hear of endless bliss:

Joy! Joy!

Jesus Christ was born for this!

He hath ope'd the heav'nly door,

And man is blessed evermore.

Christ was born for this!

Christ was born for this!

Good Christian men, rejoice

With heart, and soul, and voice;

Now ye need not fear the grave:

Peace! Peace!

Jesus Christ was born to save!

Calls you one, and calls you all,

To gain His everlasting hall:

Christ was born to save!

Christ was born to save!

In the Octave of Christmas, of course, we celebrate each day as Christmas!