Comments on: It’s Merry Christmas, Not Happy Christmas

By: Sebastian

Sebastian — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 21:15:46 +0000

In both cases, the sentiment being wished to me is a positive one, so why turn down either?

Given current traditions, though, it seems to make sense to wish one a happy Christmas and a merry New Year.

By: Retired Teacher

Retired Teacher — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 11:20:48 +0000

I think most people prefer “Merry Christmas” so as to leave “happy” for their concurrent new year wishes; hence: “have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.” Using happy for Christmas leaves a difficult choice for the new year.

By: Flordeliza Lagasca

Flordeliza Lagasca — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 23:16:22 +0000

Thank you for the write up. I always interchange merry and happy in my Christmas greetings thinking they mean the same thing.

By: pentamom

pentamom — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:11:00 +0000

Puritans did outlaw Christmas, but they would never have abstained from wine and knew a thing or three about being merry. Their rejection of Christmas was not based on a reluctance to engage in appropriate merrymaking.

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 18:09:13 +0000

According to my English professor, to be “merry” meant to be overflowing with joy, as we would “all be merry in heaven.” This was the usage of medieval word merriment. St. Thomas More used the word with this definition in mind. I never say anything but Merry Christmas. We can be happy at any time.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 11:42:21 +0000

“(Similarly, in Holland some of the more strictly reformed Dutch prefer Zalig Kerstfeest—“Blessed Christmas”–to Vrolijk Kerstmis—“Merry Christmas.”)”

Wrong. It’s the observant Catholics who say “Zalig Kerstfeest”.

By: Bea

Bea — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 06:13:01 +0000

Ginny Bain Allen:
I was thinking along those lines, myself.
A Joyous Christ-filled Christmas to you and all here.

By: Ray

Ray — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 02:37:30 +0000

Not so sure it needs to be an either-or kind of a greeting. Why not really communicate and say, “I hope you have a happy and merry Chrismas!”

By: Ginny Bain Allen

Ginny Bain Allen — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 21:54:02 +0000

I wish for one and all a Joyous Christmas! Happiness depends on happenings while joy depends on Jesus. :)

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 17:39:01 +0000

Consider the joke on those who think “Happy Holiday” is a secular greeting. It actually means “Happy HOLY Day”, so the joke is on them. I respond with “Amen” and get surprised looks.