TheEye has a profound regard for the beliefs of all, and as it sees all, it will be watching every church (Brixworth Church is randomly pictured) at Christmas.

However a certain annoyance has descended on TheEye as a result of fresh news of political correctness attacking age-old traditions for no other reason than that they can.

‘The Age’ tells us of the latest assault on Christmas carols.

Old favourites such as Hark the Herald Angels Sing and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen are being altered by some British clergy to make them more “modern and inclusive”. But churchgoers are complaining that the result is a “festive car crash” if not everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet….

Okay, a terrible cliche, but they make a reasonable point.

Among the “theologically modified, politically corrected” carols are Hark the Herald Angels Sing in which the line “Glory to the newborn King” has been replaced by “Glory to the Christ child, bring”.

The well-known refrain of O Come All Ye Faithful – “O come let us adore Him” – has also been changed in one church to “O come in adoration”, both changes apparently made for fear that the original was sexist. “(One reader) wrote in asking if the original line was considered too gender-specific,” Mr Goddard said. “But as he rightly pointed out, Jesus wasn’t hermaphrodite, neither was he a girl.”

Churchgoers at one carol service will not be allowed to sing the words “all in white” during Once in Royal David’s City in case they appear racist, while another cleric has removed the word “virgin” from God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

If you end up in a church which has gone down this path…sing the traditional words loudly and with pride.