Are Jesus and his mother Mary referenced in the holiday greeting “Merry Christmas”? It may seem like an elementary question for someone who has been a Christian for any length of time, but how many of us know the origin of the phrase and perhaps whether “Merry” is a unique spelling for “Mary”--or what “Christmas” really means?
Where Does the Phrase "Merry Christmas" Come From?
We say it and sing it every year, but do we really know why we wish others a “Merry Christmas” and where the phrase originated? Is it a greeting that means we hope that they come to know Jesus in the celebration of His incarnation? Is it a wish for a fun and festive party (or a series of parties)? If either of those is the case, why don’t we say “Joyous Jesus’ Birth” or “Happy Festivities of the Season”?
According to Brian Earl’s Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday’s Traditions, the first known instance of “Merry Christmas” was its appearance in a 16th-century letter from John Fisher, an English Catholic Bishop, to King Henry VIII’s Chief Minister, Thomas Cromwell. The bishop hoped that God would bless Cromwell with a “Merry Christmas.” My favorite Christmas carol, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” was originally penned in the middle of the 17th century, again using the term “Merry.” But “Merry Christmas” was popularized in common parlance with the publication of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in 1843. In fact, Dickens used “Merry Christmas” 21 times in the book. By the next year, it was being included in school “readers” in the United States, likely the origin of “Merry Christmas” being popularized in this country.
Does "Merry Christmas" Have a Connection to Mary?
It’s understandable that some may think that because the two words “Merry” and “Mary” are pronounced the same, they may be referencing identical things. But the meaning of the word “Merry” is happy or joyous, and while Mary likely experienced both of those emotions, “Merry Christmas” as a phrase does not refer to Mary.
If the intent of Bishop Fisher was to refer specifically to Mary, he would have done so. We can certainly honor Mary’s dedication to trusting God in this miraculous story, but that’s very different than wishing others a “Mary Christmas." That would have the intention of highlighting Mary in our celebration, when it’s mainly a time to revel in the miracle of Jesus coming to earth.
Mary’s Role in the Christmas Story
That being said, one cannot understate the significance of Mary’s role in the Nativity narrative. We read the story in Luke about how an angel came to this young woman and told her that she was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit. Is it possible for that to sink into our finite minds? God chose her, a poor yet faithful girl, to bring the King of Kings into the world. While anyone might be scared, skeptical, embarrassed, or even angry that God was going to turn her world upside down, Mary instead became the first believer in Jesus as the Messiah.
And she did so with a glad heart. In what is known as the Magnificat, Luke records her as saying,
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
Not only was she rejoicing that God was doing this for her and through her, He was doing so for the entire nation of Israel as He promised. That is amazing faith brought about by amazing grace.
Though we can never know what it felt like to be Mary, we can have the same amount of love and joy in our hearts for what God the Father and God the Son did on that first “Christmas." In fact, it may be good practice to read her Magnificat several times during our holiday preparations. It would be a great way to focus on the true meaning of the incarnation, seen from the perspective of the one who carried and raised the Son of God.
What Does "Merry" Mean in "Merry Christmas"?
Merriam-Webster defines “Merry” as “mirthful,” “marked by festivity,” “delightful,” and “giving pleasure,” and adds synonyms like “jovial,” “gleeful,” and “jolly.” While all these words describe what a Jesus-centered Christmas is, it seems that the best synonyms would be “joyful” and “profoundly happy." As one of the two most important Christian holidays (the other being Easter), a true recognition of Jesus’ incarnation over 2,000 years ago would make any believer full of the greatest joy imaginable.
This is no mere greeting. “Merry Christmas” isn’t just a rote phrase that we say between Thanksgiving and December 25. If we use it in such a way, it doesn’t speak to the relationship that we can have as Jesus as our Redeemer and Savior. Those who trust in Christ have grounds to be heartily thankful that God has made us merry. Without His grace and mercy, there would be no hope of the bliss that He promises us in eternity, or the abundant life in Jesus He offers us here.
Why "Merry Christmas" is Focused on Christ
The word “Christmas” is very close to its original meaning. According to the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia, “The word for Christmas in late Old English is Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ, first found in 1038, and Cristes-messe, in 1131. In Dutch, it is Kerstmis; in Latin, Dies Natalis, whence comes the French Noël, and Italian Il Natale; in German, Weihnachtsfest." The holiday was, and has always been, centered around Christ’s birth. Unfortunately, the holiday has been co-opted by those who don’t believe in Jesus, and who make secular parties and festivities the sole focus of the holiday.
But wherever and whenever “Merry Christmas” is spoken, it will always have its original meaning, despite what the world believes. It will always mean that Jesus Christ came to earth to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to God, and to prepare a place for us in eternity. It means nothing less, and celebrated as something less is to miss the fulfillment of hundreds of years of prophecy about the only One who can save us from this sin-sick world.
How Can Christians Reflect the True Meaning of "Merry Christmas"?
If we were to consider all the implications of Jesus’ birth and Mary’s willingness to be His earthly mother, we would need every day of the year to contemplate and celebrate. Since the church recognizes it on December 25 (and a season of reflection before called Advent) that’s when we fix our gaze on the events of that most important of all nights.
This year, as we wish others a hearty “Merry Christmas,” may the Holy Spirit inspire us to reflect the true meaning of Christmas, especially to unbelievers. May we focus on Christ rather than becoming overwhelmed by the trappings of the season. May we not be so distracted by events and gift-buying that we forget why we are celebrating.
May we all spend time in God’s word as we prepare our hearts for Christmas. And may we embrace the love, joy and peace of Christmas, remembering the One who made all of it possible.
Photo credit: ©Unsplash/Alasdair Elmes
Mary Oelerich-Meyer is a Chicago-area freelance writer and copy editor who prayed for years for a way to write about and for the Lord. She spent 20 years writing for area healthcare organizations, interviewing doctors and clinical professionals and writing more than 1,500 articles in addition to marketing collateral materials. Important work, but not what she felt called to do. She is grateful for any opportunity to share the Lord in her writing and editing, believing that life is too short to write about anything else. Previously she served as Marketing Communications Director for a large healthcare system. She holds a B.A. in International Business and Marketing from Cornell College (the original Cornell!) When not researching or writing, she loves to spend time with her writer daughter, granddaughter, rescue doggie and husband (not always in that order).