God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

“God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” is one of our oldest surviving English carols, but its familiar modern meaning is almost entirely misunderstood. In the 16th century, rest meant keep and merry meant strong in spirit—so the opening line was a blessing: “May God keep you strong, gentlemen.” It was sung not in grand cathedrals, but in London’s streets to ordinary townspeople, offering courage, comfort, and resilience long before it settled into hymnals. That blessing became the shape of our entire day: strength of spirit, comfort in community, and joy that renews.

Our morning opened in a burst of cheerful chaos with the Merry Gentlemen Dance Revue—hosted by Ben and Miles doing their best at some jazzed up choreography. We then settled in for cinnamon rolls and peppermint mochas, the kitchen sweet with steam and spice. As we read about the carol’s history, Pentatonix carried the melody into the background, reminding us that even centuries-old songs can feel new. Giving followed breakfast, because “comfort and joy” is best lived, not just sung: the kids packed Operation Christmas Child gifts to be dropped off at church later that morning.

Lunch was intentionally simple—grilled cheese and soup—before we leaned into the most overlooked gift of the season: rest. “Let nothing you dismay,” the carol says, and we honored it with rest time in cozy new Christmas pajamas.

By mid-afternoon, it was time for the heart of the day: a relaxing session for the parents at a local sauna. First introduced during our Finland date in 2023, it’s become our ritual for renewal—incredible Christmas yurt, sauna heat, and cold plunge shock. We toasted with some wassail and soaked up all the ambiance that we could possible preserve to carry it with us the rest of winter.

Evening brought the comfort promised in the refrain. Dinner was a feast of warm, familiar flavors: stuffing with sausage, sage, sweet potatoes, and craisins, followed by sticky toffee pudding rich enough to qualify as its own holiday. Then came a round of playful indulgence: Southern Comfort eggnog topped with shaved Almond Joy—comfort and joy literally in the glass. And since it was too good to keep to ourselves, we send a care package of the Tidings & Joy to our neighbors to enjoy as well. 

Throughout the day, we had accounted for “God” with church, “Rest” with naps, and “Merry Gentlemen” with the dance revue. To make sure no element went unaddressed, we pulled up and listened to Kanye West (Ye) singing  Christmas in Harlem.

We ended the night beneath blankets, mugs in hand, reflecting on the carol’s story and its blessing that has followed hundreds of Christmases: comfort, joy, strength, and peace. What began with ancient words became a day of warmth, resilience, generosity, and rest—a reminder that keeping merry has always meant keeping strong.

Activities

• Merry Gentlemen Dance Revue

• Cinnamon Rolls And Peppermint Mochas

• Operation Christmas Child Gift Packing

• Reading The History Of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”

• Church Drop-Off And Service

• Christmas Pajama Rest Time

• Nordic Nook Sauna And Cold Plunge

• Wassail Toast In The Christmas Yurt

• Kanye (Ye) “Christmas In Harlem” Listening

• Tidings And Joy Neighbor Gift Delivery

Menu

• Cinnamon Rolls

• Peppermint Mochas

• Grilled Cheese

• Mulled Wine Soup Leftovers

• Stuffing With Sausage, Sage, Sweet Potatoes, And Craisins

• Sticky Toffee Pudding

• Southern Comfort Eggnog With Almond Joy Shavings