*SIGHS* They could have done everything they wanted by simply changing 'gentlemen' to 'gentlefolk' or 'gentles all' or even 'people all'!

Also - and here's something the silly buggers never thought of - in the context of the carol 'rest' means 'keep'. Also there is a misplaced or missing comma in there.

So many people see/think/sing:

God rest you, merry gentlemen

When it should actually be:

God rest you merry, gentlemen

As meaning:

God keep you merry, gentlemen

But what do I know? I'm just the pedantic atheist in the corner!