In English-speaking countries, people often use the word "happy" in greetings for birthdays, New Year's, and other major holidays, such as "Happy New Year" and "Happy Birthday." However, when it comes to Christmas, the greeting "Merry Christmas" is much more common than "Happy Christmas."
The history of "Merry Christmas"
Although Christmas celebrations have been around since the fourth century, the phrase "Merry Christmas" didn't appear until 1699, when a naval officer used it in a personal letter. The phrase appeared again in 1843 in Charles Dickens' work "A Christmas Carol."
During Christmas, not only Christians but also most people send each other the greeting "Merry Christmas."
In this phrase, "Merry" means joy. The word "Christmas" means the holiday of Christ, which is the birthday of Jesus Christ, but it also means the flock of Christ (in Old English).
The word "Merry" brings joy and a sense of warm happiness because it is associated with Christmas.
The use of "Happy Christmas"
Some people use the word "Happy" instead of "Merry" to greet each other during Christmas. The phrase "Happy Christmas" became popular worldwide in the 19th century when it was used by Queen Elizabeth II herself.
Sometimes, people use the abbreviation "Xmas" instead of "Christmas." However, it is important to note that no phrase or saying is as common as "Merry Christmas."
The popular song "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" also helped popularize the phrase and make it widely used.
In 1843, when printing technology began to develop, the phrase "Merry Christmas" was printed on the first Christmas greeting card. Since then, "Merry Christmas" has been used as a common phrase to wish each other a Merry Christmas.
Why do the British use "Happy Christmas"?
Currently, only the British and Irish still use the phrase "Happy Christmas." In the 19th century, the word "Merry" in England was understood to mean "tipsy, slightly drunk." Since then, people have continued to use the greeting "Happy Christmas" instead of "Merry Christmas" like the rest of the world.
The meaning of Christmas and Noel
The word "Christmas" is a combination of "Christ" and "Mas." "Christ" is the title of Jesus, and "Mas" is an abbreviation of "Mass" (holy service). When "Christ" and "Mas" are written together, it becomes "Christmas." Christmas means the holiday of Christ, which is the birthday of Jesus Christ.
The words "Christmas" and "Xmas" have the same meaning. The Greek word for "Christ" is written as "Xpiơtós" or "Xristos."
The consonant "X" is used to represent the entire word "Xristos" or "Xpiơtós," and then the word "Mas" is added to form "Xmas." Therefore, "Xmas" also means the holiday of Christ.
The word "Noel" comes from the French word "Noël," an older form of "Naël," which comes from the Latin word "nātālis (diēs)" meaning "(day) of birth." Some believe that the name Noel comes from the title Emmanuel, which means "God is with us" in Hebrew, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew.
