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Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas - Christmas is celebrated each year in December by many thousands of people worldwide. Coming up to this special day on December 25th, it is common for people to greet others by saying "Merry Christmas". This is done to wish them a safe and happy holiday.
Looking back on the history of Christmas takes us all the way back, just over 2,000 years, to the birth of Jesus Christ. The celebration of Christmas day was initially to join with others in remembering the birth of the Savior of the world.
The actual word 'Christmas' means literally "Mass of Christ". Although Jesus birth occurred over two millennia ago, Christmas itself was not celebrated for many years. Historically, a fourth-century saint, Saint Nicholas, gained a reputation as a secret gift-giver. It is told that Saint Nicholas used to place coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him.
Since the times of Saint Nicholas, Christmas has continued to prosper and become popular with people of different faiths. Although beginning with Christians, Christmas is now celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike. Although the ways that people celebrate Christmas may differ, depending on their faith, it is true to say that Christmas is a time of goodwill, kindness and wishing "Merry Christmas" to others, more than any other time of year. Gift giving still continues, even as the folklore and traditions that came from Saint Nicholas back in the 4th century demonstrated.
There are many that say that Christmas has in fact become too commercialized and that it now focuses more on receiving rather than on giving. Either way though, Christmas is here to stay and the giving and receiving of gifts and wishing "Merry Christmas" is a big part of it.
The holiday greeting of 'Merry Christmas' was first used in 1565, written in the Hereford Municipal Manuscript. Since that date it has continued to be used around the world during the weeks leading up to Christmas day each year. The initial meaning of the word 'merry', as used in this holiday greeting, meant 'pleasant' or 'agreeable'. These days 'merry', as used in merry Christmas, tends to mean 'jolly', 'joyous' or 'happy' more than 'pleasant'. Today many families give gifts to each other on Christmas Eve and then have a big family celebration and meal together on Christmas day.
Feliz Navidad
Once Thanksgiving is over it is time to get into full-fledged Christmas mode. Why not take the opportunity to spice up your holiday season this year by celebrating Christmas Spanish style! You could plan a trip to Mexico or Spain to enjoy the festivities and experience how another culture celebrates Christmas or you could simply recreate your Christmas into a cultural experience right in the comfort of your own home by adopting some of the traditions.
A Spanish Christmas follows many of the traditions that the rest of the world engages in at Christmas. In Spanish-speaking countries Christmas Eve, or la Nochebuena, is celebrated on December 24. Typically, families get together to enjoy each others company and indulge in special meals, food and drinks. Traditional dishes are served however these traditional foods can vary depending on which country you are in. For instance in some countries the traditional dish may be tamales and empanadas. In Spain the main dish is turkey while in some South American Spanish-speaking countries cold dishes are served as Christmas occurs during their summer time.
The festivities for Las Navidades usually start in the beginning of December and can last all the way until the first week in January. Of course Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the exchanging of gifts and this is no different in Spanish-speaking countries during Las Navidades. Like English-speaking countries, the Spanish-speaking countries participate in the exchanging of gifts on December 25.
A great way to really celebrate a Spanish Christmas is to learn Spanish. Of course during this season it is very appropriate to wish someone a Merry Christmas. To do this in Spanish you would say Feliz Navidad, just like the song!
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