The birth of the Christ on 25th December is an occasion that calls for a celebration. People throughout the world celebrate His birth which is known as Christmas. The occasion of His birth is marked by immense joy and happiness and therefore, we tend to greet people with saying Merry Christmas. But have you ever thought that why is it called merry instead of happy Christmas? In fact why Christmas is the only occasion that is merry while others are not? After all, we dont wish people a Merry New Year. In fact, we dont even wish people a Merry Birthday as well. If you are intrigued to know why it is so then, read along.
The Origin of the Phrase Merry Christmas
Although historians cannot really figure out accurately that why we use Merry Christmas instead of Happy Christmas but these points about the phrase, Merry Christmas may answer your questions:
· The use of the phrase Merry Christmas goes back to London in 1534 when Bishop John Fisher mentioned it in a letter sent to Thomas Cornwell who was the Chief Minister of Henry VIII.
· According to scholars, the phrase was also used in the English carol named We wished you a Merry Christmas in the 16th century.
· Later the phrase gained popularity in the year 1834 when A Christmas Carol was published by Charles Dickens. The phrase was also used in the first Christmas card sold in the same year.
· In comparison to Britain, the phrase Merry Christmas is more popularly used in the United States. Although nobody is sure of the reason why.
After reading about the history and the use of the phrase Merry Christmas, greet your friends and family with a merry heart.