Why is it Merry Christmas and not Happy Christmas like any other wishes (Happy New year, Happy Chanukkah)?
2006-12-20 02:08:56 · 2 answers · asked by . 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
The term started in England. Before Christmas there is the season of Advent. This is a bit of a somber time. It involves waiting for the comings of Christ. (His first about 2000 years ago, and his second coming, sometime in the future.) Christmas was a time to celebrate the birth of Christ. It was and is a joyful time. In old English, merry and joyful were about the same in definition. Merry Christmas stuck. Happy has a slightly different definition.
I hope this helps
Bryan
2006-12-21 13:19:17 · answer #1 · answered by free2bme55 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that it's Merry Christmas because Santa Claus is a merry fellow. However I do know some people do say Happy Christmas.
2006-12-20 11:00:25 · answer #2 · answered by Sue 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋