Why do people wish each other a Merry Christmas?

[Akemi Homura 7,680]

I've been thinking about this for a short while now, and I was curious to know what you guys think about this.

 

My faith dictates that it is apparently forbidden for a muslim to say that phrase, as it gives the idea to non-Muslims that we accept Christmas as a religious holiday which is NOT true at all. Not my words, mind you.

 

I think the phrase is more constructed in a way to let out excitement and to embrace happiness, as cheesy as that sounds. Discuss.

[GamerLuna7 207]

Because that is our secret catchpharase when to start bombing buildings ,just kidding. It just a tradition to say that so that person will have a good christmas.

[PonyEcho 1,610]

Merry = Happy 

 

Merry Christmas =Happy Christmas 

 

so when people say it, it basically means that they hope you have a good, enjoyable and happy Christmas, you're religion/ race doesn't matter.

Edited December 25, 2012 by PonyEcho

[Party Cannon 876]

Why do people say "Good luck!" or "Good Morning" or "Good Night" or "Have a great day" or the many other greetings?

 

"Merry Christmas" is a greeting. I say it to people who are not Christan just like I do to those who are. I am not asserting anything upon them when I do. Even some Jewish friends of mine wish me a Merry Christmas.

 

It is a special day to those who believe in Christ and no matter if someone else doesn't believe the same we, or at least I, wish them a wonderful day nonetheless.

 

Spreading the cheer and love, man.

[Dusty Soul 2,611]

It's just a way of saying "HOPE YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY." Its just one way of saying it on Christmas.  It's not really forcing it on anyone.  

[Archi the Atmomancer 564]

Well, since people tend to celebrate Christmas more as a time of generosity and goodwill than the birth of Christ the phrase Merry Christmas is meant to express that feeling to others. So unless someone's running around saying "Merry Christmas; Christ the saviour is born!" I don't see it as overtly religious.

[Fubz 300]

I just say it like how I say Good morning, or good evening. It's just a varient due to the different day it is. I like to wish people a happy day

[Strawberry Tart 161]

I personally think it puts too much pressure on people to say that. 

"Have whatever Christmas you have" would be more appropriate. 

[Fubz 300]

I personally think it puts too much pressure on people to say that. 

"Have whatever Christmas you have" would be more appropriate. 

xD Lol, it's more like "I hope you have a nice Christmas!" rather than "You! You man, Yes you! Make your day a good day ._."

 

You know what, I might actually say that to people, it's quite funny.

[Strawberry Tart 161]

xD Lol, it's more like "I hope you have a nice Christmas!" rather than "You! You man, Yes you! Make your day a good day ._."

 

You know what, I might actually say that to people, it's quite funny.

Wait, what are you going to say?  "You! You man, Yes you! Make your day a good day ._.", or "Have whatever Christmas you have"? I'm a bit confused..

Edited December 26, 2012 by Strawberry Tart

[Fubz 300]

You YOU THERE!

 

Wait, what are you going to say?  "You! You man, Yes you! Make your day a good day ._.", or "Have whatever Christmas you have"? I'm a bit confused..

YOU BETTER HAVE A GOOD DAY TODAY OR ELSE I'LL GET RARITY UP IN HERE TO SMACK YO FILLY HIND! Yea. It'd confuse a few people though.

[Just some guy 1,070]

It's more tradition and habit now to say that methinks.I actually tell others "Happy Festivus!" or "Mele Kalikimaka brah!" if they're local instead of "Merry Christmas",with all the diversity here in Hawaii and all.Maybe "Happy Holidays!" if I'm feeling generic.

Edited December 26, 2012 by CaptainBlue808

[Strawberry Tart 161]

You YOU THERE!

 

YOU BETTER HAVE A GOOD DAY TODAY OR ELSE I'LL GET RARITY UP IN HERE TO SMACK YO FILLY HIND! Yea. It'd confuse a few people though.

I dare you not to have a good day. I. Dare. You. 

And if you don't have a good day? Oh, you'll be sorry...Very, very sorry....

Muahahahahahahaha!

 

[Starshine 16,334]

Buh-what. I'm a Muslim but I never heard anything that forbid things like that

 

As already said, it's just a way to wish others a good day. You don't have to accept the particular faith to say that you wish others to have a good time celebrating their celebrations.

Edited December 26, 2012 by Starshine

[Flutterbee 92]

I don't view Christmas as a Christian holiday.  If it were I wouldn't celebrate it either.  I view it as the holiday season. I still don't typicly say Happy Holidays though.  I still say Merry Christmas out of habit   The thing is pretty much every Christian tradition has it's roots in pagan or secular traditions.  They are things anyone can do and enjoy regardless of what religious beliefs they have.  The only thing I have a problem with is when people say "Jesus is the reason for the season:" or other similar things.  Or when people get pissy because someone says Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas.  Christians that want to look at this as a celebration of the birth of their "savior" may well do so, but keep in mind that not everyone, in fact most people do not.  The facts alone make it a very much non-Christian holiday.  Those that claim it is all about Jesus are just ignorant.

[Arlette Mori 22]

Merry = Happy 

 

Merry Christmas =Happy Christmas 

 

so when people say it, it basically means that they hope you have a good, enjoyable and happy Christmas, you're religion/ race doesn't matter.

That's generally how I assume Merry Christmas is meant in our society. A lot of people forget that Christmas was supposed to be a religious holiday. So many people celebrate the commercial aspect of Christmas nowadays. 

[Booksmith 87]

More people commit suicide at Christmas than any other time of the year. We say Merry Christmas so when they do it, it's not our fault.

[Lunas Husband 2,777]

Been thinking about that for years now.. why wish me this marry X-mass Bs... I don't even do X-mass and for a number of year was wondering what is X-mass... even as a kid I didn't know what X-mass was or who this fat guy in the red getup was... and why anypony would want someone to break in your home and leave you gifts.

[Neon Fire 473]

It's a greeting, saying to have a good Christmas.  Merry means happy, so they want you to have a Happy Christmas (As some say in the UK ).  It's the same thing as someone telling you "Have a nice day" or "Good night" etc.

[Naive Wolf Josh 93]

Been thinking about that for years now.. why wish me this marry X-mass Bs... I don't even do X-mass and for a number of year was wondering what is X-mass... even as a kid I didn't know what X-mass was or who this fat guy in the red getup was... and why anypony would want someone to break in your home and leave you gifts.

 

So I can have the opportunity to obtain the secrets of his seemingly supernatural powers, of course.  How am I suppose to do that if he never comes to my house?