Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas is a traditional greeting used in the English language to denote well wishes during the Christmas holiday season. The phrase is derived from the old English term "Cristes Maesse", meaning "Christ's Mass", and is used in many countries around the world to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Origins[edit | edit source]
The phrase "Merry Christmas" was first recorded in 1534 in a letter sent by John Fisher to Thomas Cromwell. The term was popularized in the 19th century with the publication of Charles Dickens' novel, A Christmas Carol. The phrase is now used globally as a universal message of goodwill during the Christmas season.
Usage[edit | edit source]
"Merry Christmas" is used in a variety of contexts during the Christmas season. It is commonly used as a greeting in person, in written correspondence, and in decorative displays. The phrase is also often incorporated into Christmas songs and carols, such as "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".
Cultural Significance[edit | edit source]
The phrase "Merry Christmas" holds significant cultural importance in many societies. It is a symbol of the joy and goodwill associated with the Christmas season. The phrase is often associated with the exchange of gifts, festive meals, and family gatherings, which are all traditional aspects of Christmas celebrations.
Controversy[edit | edit source]
In recent years, the use of "Merry Christmas" has been the subject of debate in some societies. Some individuals and groups prefer the use of more inclusive holiday greetings, such as "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings", to acknowledge the diversity of celebrations during the holiday season.
See Also[edit | edit source]
This Christmas related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.
This English-language related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD