Oh Come All Ye Wokeful.

There are those who take a big DEI brush to history, tradition; you name it. Now catch wind of this. You may or may not believe it; but here goes anyway.

You see Church of England clergy, it could only happen here, have been warned to avoid hymns that cause offence.

Now why would those bent on taking offense even show up. I ask this for a friend. Just as well the COE is not a business, though this helps explain why its pews are empty. A business must cater to their customer base; not to those who do not like their product.

A vegan would not bang on the door of butchery; a teetotaller would not head to a bar. Yet it seems to me they worry more about those who are not their customers than those who are.

How likely is it that those who pull the strings of the COE do not represent their base at all? Hang what if they do not even like them. I ask you; what if they really represent another brand.

A whistle blower vicar has revealed all.

He tells us COE clergy across the country have been contacted and urged to alter the words of certain Advent hymns; so as to ‘avoid upset’. Just what the hang is going on.

Those singled out are; Oh Come, oh Come, Emanuel, as it is said to depict other faiths as being outside of God’s grace.

Lo, He Comes with Clouds descending; with the second verse’s ‘problematic words’ that Jesus is the ‘true Messiah’.

They say that clergy should rather use words that won’t add further confusion or tension; or take away anything from the good news of the nativity. Other faiths can be exclusive it seems. Just not this one.

If you a member of the COE do be careful at this time. Or the hymn sheet in front of you might just read Oh Come All Ye Wokeful.

Merry Christmas it is; not Merry Percymas. And in case you wonder what the hell some have indeed used this term.