The meaning of Merry Christmas has varied worldwide; it brings warmth in the coldness of the frosty winter days and carries the spirit of joy, kindness, and togetherness. Many of us have pondered the reason behind saying “Merry Christmas.” Why not say “Merry Christmas” or “Festive Christmas”? What is the significance of using “Merry”. Let’s unwrap this simple greeting and discover the warmth it brings to the heart’s all around the world.
Moreover, Merry Christmas, although it simply means Happy Christmas, tries to indicate how Christmas brings all sorts of things with it, be it magic, joy, happiness, hope, and a time to rest, watch Christmas movies, and listen to Christmas songs, poems, stories, and melodies. Furthermore, we celebrate Jesus Christ’s birthday at Christmas time with plenty of decorations, presents, and Christmas-specific food recipes.
1. The Etymology of Merry Christmas
If we look at the meaning of Merry Christmas in the Oxford English Dictionary, the term “Merry” means happy or cheerful, whereas the term “Christmas” originates from the phrase “Cristes Maesse,” which represents the Mass of Christ. Therefore, the complete meaning of the phrase Merry Christmas is “joyful celebration of Christ’s Masses.”
If we look back at the history of the phrase Merry Christmas and its meaning, the word “merry” was explicitly used to signify the language in the sentence. The first reference to “Merry Christmas” can be seen by bishop John Fisher, who wrote a letter to Henry VIII’s chief minister, Thomas Cromwell, wishing them a “Merry Christmas“(1534, London).
“Merry Christmas” became popular because Charles Dickens used the word “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” in his novel A Christmas Carol. Another fact is that “Merry Christmas” is popular in the USA, whereas “Happy Christmas” is popular in the UK.
2. Meaning of Merry Christmas: Religious Significance
As we know, Christmas is celebrated as the birthday of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Christmas time makes us reflect on the foundations of the Christian faith. Christians celebrate Christmas as God’s love for the world with the birth of Jesus. Christmas celebration started around the 3rd century to commemorate the historical aspect of Jesus Christ.
As for the date, December 25th indicates when Romans celebrated the end of the winter solstice and the sun’s return. In some areas of the Christian realm, some dates gained significance. For instance, January 6th marks the feast of the baptism of Jesus and the arrival of the Three Kings in the West. Moreover, January 7th is when many Orthodox Christian churches celebrate Christmas.
3. Different Ways of Wishing Merry Christmas Around the World
The meaning of Merry Christmas varies throughout the world. For those curious minds who always wonder what else we can say instead of Merry Christmas, below are some phrases people use in other countries to greet happy holidays or wish someone a Merry, Jolly Christmas.
3.1. British Greeting
As stated earlier in the article, people in the UK use the phrase “Happy Christmas” instead of Merry Christmas. The tradition of using “Happy Christmas” began with the late Queen Elizabeth, who wished British citizens a happy holiday season during her annual broadcast.
3.2. Australian Greeting
Australian English is quite famous for its slang, and people here use the phrase “Have a good Chrissie.” Chrissie is short for Christmas instead of Merry Christmas. They commonly use the phrases “Happy Holidays” and “Season’s Greetings” during the festive season.
3.3. Spanish Greeting
There is only one way to say, “Merry Christmas” in Spanish: “Feliz Navidad.” It translates to “Happy Christmas.” It’s important to note that when it comes to saying, “Merry Christmas” in Spanish, there’s only one correct way to do it – and that’s by saying “Feliz Navidad.” This phrase is the equivalent of “Happy Christmas,” so use it correctly.
3.4. Scots Greeting
In Scotland, instead of saying “Merry Christmas,” people use the phrase “Blithe Yule.” In the Scots language, “Yule” means Christmas, and the word “Blithe” means “joyous” or “happy.”
3.5. Irish greeting
Christmas in Irish means “Nollaig,” and the phrase “Nollaig Shona Dhuit” is used instead of Merry Christmas.
We have seen how Christmas greetings and their meaning vary globally. You can either stick to the usual greeting “Merry Christmas” or adopt the way of the people in Great Britain and their way of saying “Happy Christmas” or be creative and make your own Christmas greeting like – ‘Have a joyful Christmas,’ ‘Have a magical Christmas,’ ‘have a hopeful Christmas.’
4. How Do You Have a “Merry Christmas”?
Until now, we have somewhat understood the origin and meaning of Merry Christmas and the relation between Christmas and Jesus Christ. Overall, Christmas festivities like carols, candles, and tree decorations are modern ways of celebrating Christmas and are pivotal to most Christians. So, how do we have a Merry, Happy, or Jolly Christmas ourselves? Let’s understand the usual Christmas traditions:
4.1. Exchanging Gifts
One thing that we usually look forward to in this beautiful holiday season is “Gifts.” A new way of exchanging gifts is also included in the tradition, “Secret Santa.” Each person chooses a name at random and secretly buys gifts for them.
4.2. Decorating the Christmas Tree
Decorating the Christmas tree is a beloved Christmas tradition. It is one of the classical activities of Christmas and represents the most traditional symbol of the holiday season. We decorate the tree with lights, tinsel, ornaments, garland, ribbon, and the tree topper. You can add things how you desire to decorate your tree. The last thing you do after decorating the tree is to place the gifts under it.
4.3. Visiting the Church
We all know that Christmas represents the birth of baby Jesus. Christmas is a special occasion where Christians reflect on the principles of their faith. If you’re interested, visit a Catholic church to observe how they celebrate Christmas.
4.4. Sharing a Meal with Family and Friends
This tradition helps us reminisce on the memories of the people we care about. It is not merely about sitting at a table and having food; it involves a lot more than that. Eating together brings the spirit of oneness and creates a space of belongingness and acceptance.
4.5. Singing Christmas Carols
Though not popular these days, Christmas Carols are an excellent way of spreading holiday cheer. Christmas carols are the traditional way of telling the story of the nativity. There are plenty of carols and songs you can find these days that range from classic to modern.
4.6. Traditional Christmas Cookies
Cookies are also something to look forward to when Christmas arrives. The Christmas cookies tradition involves baking and decorating cookies specifically for Christmas. Cookies symbolize the spirit of giving and seasonal joy.
4.7. Watching Christmas Movies
The traditional Christmas movies range back to the year 1898 with the release of the movie “Santa Clause.” The famous Christmas Movie tradition these days is Watching the Harry Potter movie series before Christmas. People also indulge in Christmas-specific Novels or books to cosy up with the season.
4.8. Giving to Others
Christmas represents the spirit of giving, giving to others. Moreover, give to needy people and those who don’t know how to have a merry Christmas. Give off your exhausted emotions, energy, and time to enjoy a “Merry Christmas.
4.9. Christmas Wishes
Amid all the traditions and things to enjoy at Christmas, how many of you genuinely express your wishes to your loved one? Writing a letter conveys a lot about how you feel towards someone. Handwritten letters are also viewed as significant as they show the hard work of the person who has written them. So, write down the feelings or wishes you want to express for yourself and your loved ones.
Another way of conveying your wishes is using Christmas cards. These are considered excellent ways to greet the people you care about. So send your cards and show your love for your families and friends.
5. Final Words
The meaning of Merry Christmas brings a spectrum of understandings and traditions. This phrase sums up the joy and goodwill of the Christmas spirit and indicates the beginning of a festive atmosphere. Merry Christmas is not a mere phrase but also a global greeting that ties people together from their diverse traditions to a shared celebration.
It fosters the essence of togetherness and shared joy. As we embrace the saying “Have a merry Christmas,” let it serve as the start of a holiday season and a reminder of our shared humanity and a time to embrace each other.
Last Updated on by aashruti013
