For example, you might say: Have a very merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year! The same cultural impact wasn’t happening across the pond. Your email address will not be published. Once you look deeper at their origins and definitions you will see a few key differences. Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. How no-one dares to say “Happy CHRISTMAS” in public anymore? Happy Holidays, Round 2,016. It includes Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza and even New Years. We asked an English Professor at High Point University to explain. This is also the same year that the first ever commercial Christmas card was printed and sold. They are both wonderful greetings to those you see around the Christmas holiday. President Trump is clear which season's greeting he thinks should be used - but do Americans care? Persecution: The New Reality for Biblical... Trump Turns the Country Over to the Democrats, The Cranach Reader Who Predicted COVID-19. After a period of time where Christmas celebrations were outlawed by the Puritans. Traditionally, the term happy means to be pleased, co… Yes! We do say both, but Happy Christmas tends to predominate. Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Is Santa Claus Real? The phrases Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays do have some differences. Did you know the first Christmas Card, sent in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole, had this wording on it: “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You”. What started as a dispute forged by religious preference became an argument of political malice. It could also be due to Charles Dickens book A Christmas Carol. The term appears in 1534 in a Christmas letter between the Catholic Bishop John Fisher and Thomas Cromwell. Both happy and merry are terms used to describe a joyous and pleasureful situation. WHY?? After all, we say, “Happy Birthday” and “Happy New Year” but why do we say “Merry Christmas”? @16PinOak: You said it started as Merry Christmas so I was just working from that.We said all 3 Merry Christmas to Christians, Happy Holidays when it was not the exact day but in between Thanksgiving and NYE and Happy Hanukkah to our Jewish friends of which I have many and I'm 65. The same goes for when you turn on your favorite Christmas tunes: We Wish You a Merry Christmas or John Lennon‘s Happy Christmas (War is Over). I don't care what you wish me. Both happy and merryare terms used to describe a joyous and pleasureful situation. Happy Holidays vs Merry Christmas. When living in America during the December holiday season you may have noticed a little more than just Christmas trees, Santa hats, and other festive decorations. “Merry Christmas” is used in the U.S. while “Happy Christmas” is used in the U.K. Does anyone say "Happy Christmas"?. Your email address will not be published. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! I want to advocate for the God whose name is being blighted and whose glory is being shoved as far from public circles as possible. Still, Mr. Schmitz makes a good overall point in his post and I like his explanation better than mine. While each of these phrases have a unique history—they both share the same sentiment. According to Why Christmas. Or should we say Happy Holidays? Traditionally, the term happy means to be pleased, content and satisfied. However, merry tends to be more of a celebration. Well of course, it’s all down to “political correctness”. To certain ears, then, “Happy Christmas” conveys a sober, well-earned enjoyment, the satisfaction resulting from hard work and virtuous living. Ilana Mermelstein can be reached at imerm@umich.edu . Anonymous: If you know the other person celebrates Christmas, "Merry Christmas". Every year, around this time, the same debate comes to light. Happy Holidays" debate has been a hot topic for a while now. All visitors must be smiling and spreading that cheer also. Before this, the term “Happy Christmas” was more common. In the 18th century, when merry was first developed, it was actually a euphemism for being intoxicated. This is because “Happy Christmas” is still a widely used phrase in many places—particularly in England. Some people need to be reminded that the U.S. is not a Christian country. The word “Merry” stems from the old English myrge, which means “pleasing, agreeable, pleasant or sweet”, and Christmas stems from the late Old English Cristes mæsse, that means “Mass of Christ.” The Night Before Christmas (Clement C. Moore’s, I mean, not Nikolai Gogol’s) ends with the words, “A Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.” Queen Elizabeth II wishes British subjects a “Happy Christmas” in her annual Christmas broadcasts, and the phrase enjoys a broad general currency the U.K. What accounts for the difference? “Merry” appeared in both the Wyclife and King James bibles in reference to intoxication, where it describes an evening in the life of the rich man Nabal: “He held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken.” (To wish someone a holiday feast like Nabal’s was to wish him a very good Christmas indeed.). They are generally used interchangeably but let’s take a closer look. Merry Christmas is frequently used by the American people while Happy Christmas is commonly used by the British. Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, published in 1843, pushed it forward, as did industrialization: The first commercially sold Christmas card (also printed in 1843) contained the salutation “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You,” which depicted a prosperous family framed by images of people feeding and clothing poor people. 0. Merrymaking of the ancient, alcoholic sort was frowned on year-round, perhaps never more so than during the celebration of the Savior’s birth. Trump, Obama and the War on Christmas A look at how the phrases "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays" were used under President Donald Trump and President Barack Obama. Both are about enjoying Christmas…the only difference lies in the beginning adjectives. Merry Christmas and Happy Christmas are both greetings used during the last part of December, around Christmastime.The first word of each is only capitalized when used as a greeting. Merry Christmas Vs Happy Christmas. Also, send me the Evangelical Newsletter and special offers. Both are about enjoying Christmas…the only difference lies in the beginning adjectives. If you found this article interesting, you’ll found “Why Christmas is on December 25th” interesting too, the reason surprised us. Makes you sick, doesn’t it? I think you will find that “Happy Christmas” is what they say in England and much of its  Commonwealth, whereas “Merry Christmas” is what we say in America. While merry depicts an active behavior of boisterous gaiety, mostly raucous. The greeting “Merry Christmas” dates back to at least 1565, in which year the author of the Hereford Municipal Manuscript wrote “And thus I comytt you to god, who send you a mery Christmas & many.” Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, published in 1843, pushed it forward, as did industrialization: The first commercially sold Christmas card (also printed in 1843) contained the salutation “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.”. Most people think this is the biggest way to differentiate between “merry” and “happy” is simply that. IMPORTANT: We are dedicated to spreading the spirit and joy of Christmas everyday of the year. Technically, retailers can say merry christmas, happy hanukkah, happy kwanzaa, etc, but it's just easier to say happy … They have the same meaning, are similar phrases. Many attribute this to the fact that while Americans started to change from “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Christmas” (a term that was brought over from British settlers). Whether it’s “merry Christmas” or “happy holidays,” they say the same thing: I hope you have a happy, healthy holiday season. False Right-wing Political Appeal to Ancient Christian Heretic... False Right-wing Political Appeal to the Ancient Christian Heretic Pelagius All too... There’s a message that kills and a message that gives life. Here is a look at where these two terms come from and what they mean. Simply put, those in England didn’t feel the need to adapt to this new American “slang.”. Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays What do you say? By looking at historic literary works, you will see how far back this greeting can be traced. Especially as the term “merry” continued to become a more common phrase in common English American language. I Spot Santa April 24, 2019 Christmas Facts Leave a Comment. “Merry Christmas” stirs in us an impulse more primitive and unrestrained: The childlike giddiness of Christmas morning, the rush down the stairs and tearing at paper, the intemperate delight in gifts long hoped-for and wholly undeserved. This moral suspicion of “Merry Christmas” dates back to the Methodist churchmen of the Victorian era who sought to promote sobriety among the English working class. They have the same meaning, are similar phrases. Which phrase conveys a more fitting response to the overwhelming, unearned, gift of Christ’s birth? Many people started greetings with “Merry” instead of “Happy”—some members of the British upper class thought that the word merry had vulgar connotations. Church and ministry leadership resources to better equip, train and provide ideas for today's church and ministry leaders, like you. © I Spot Santa™ 2009-2019, Murena Entertainment LLC™, NP Newsroom, Denali Park: The Puffy Jacket, Official Letter To Santa Claus (Printable), Mrs. Claus’ Favorite Christmas Recipes: Cookies and Breads, Santa Facts – Magical Powers and Revelations, 5 Santa Sightings That Will Make You Believe, The BEST Soft & Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe. You need to look this up on Wikipedia. If you are anything like me, your social media feed has been full of debate relating to the use of “Merry Christmas” this holiday season. Not one to celebrate with feasts and celebrations. 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