"Let all their songs employ," would work. What? I can sing well enough that I can sing with the radio and people don't scream and I was in the chorus. I was a peasant in one play and learned to hand-jive for another one. I like to move around to music but of course in that instance there's not much pressure to be cool and stuff.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for inclusive language. However, I think it's entirely unnecessary when referring specifically to Jesus, and I think it's really annoying in the few songs that most people know the words to by heart. I'm talking first verse of common Christmas carols here, not too much to ask.

the things adolescents will come up with. Like, (a) where does this thought process come from? (b) Having thunk it up, what made you think it was a good idea to implement it? (c) Having decided to implement it, what made you think you'd be able to not get caught? (d) I guess all of you are not church-goers, are you?

You just need to keep referring back to the word adolescent near the start of your question. You never got attached to the idea of something supremely silly, nor watched the giddiness of numbers increase exponentially by feeding on itself?

It's just a matter of weeding out the ones who are dumb enough to get busted.

Pikers!

I am so earwormed with "The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny" and that's even when I'm not reading my own tagline. For a song I've heard only twice and my lousy musical memory, that's something fierce.

well, but Jesse, did YOU ever see Jesus naked?

...yeah, the avoiding pronouns for Jesus thing makes no sense.

I did spend time among granola-types who reworded the Doxology in a gender-neutral way, but I've forgotten exactly the words they used. They fit the metre and everything, so it wasn't as intrusive a change as it might have been.

I forwarded the burning Jesus story to someone who wrote back:

See what happens when you dont have the Baby Jesus in your life, or maybe I should say, See what happens when you have TOO MUCH Baby Jesus in your life?

Well, yeah. My throwing arm is fairly good which made people think Special Jock, but that is really my one sporty skill.

I did spend time among granola-types who reworded the Doxology in a gender-neutral way, but I've forgotten exactly the words they used. They fit the metre and everything, so it wasn't as intrusive a change as it might have been.

I'm so fine with that! It just uses "god" for "him" in the first part, and then, at least places I've been, uses "creator, Christ, and holy ghost" for "father, son, and holy ghost," which I like a LOT. To me, the Doxology is different because you sing it every week, not once a year.

...burning baby Jesus swimming all around your head.

1) OH DEAR LORD. Dear person in NY, if I say I am going to look into something and then consult with you about it when I know what is going on, please don't send me three emails telling me I need to talk to you about that subject when I know what is going on.

2) Have I mentioned yet this year how much I hate our IT set up.

3) Sparky1, See #2 above. I had to avail myself of that thing AGAIN.

You know, I am always surprised at the things adolescents will come up with. Like, (a) where does this thought process come from? (b) Having thunk it up, what made you think it was a good idea to implement it? (c) Having decided to implement it, what made you think you'd be able to not get caught? (d) I guess all of you are not church-goers, are you?

And (e) once caught, admitting to the authorities that you were going to burn them. Genius.

No one sings "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" (one of my favorites) much anymore since "peace on earth, good will to men" is entirely too antagonistic. Feh.

And when they edit it? Right, raise your hand if you are qualified to edit LONGFELLOW?!?!?! Sure. De-smut "Leaves of Grass" when you're done, m'kay? See what you can do with Keats because he's a bit maudlin.