When some folks say, “Merry Christmas” they mean, “I hope you have a fun and festive holiday.”
That would be in keeping with the definition of merry: full of high-spirited gaiety, delightful, entertaining, joyful, and mirthful.
But centuries ago the word merry denoted peacefulness and blessedness. “Merry Christmas” meant, “May you have a peaceful Christmas” and “May Christmas bring the blessing of God to you” (Christmas by Charles L. Allen and Charles L. Wallis, Fleming Revell Co., 1977).
An old carol highlighted this idea:
“God rest ye merry, gentlemen;
Let nothing you dismay.
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day,
To save us all from Satan’s pow’r
When we were gone astray.”
Did you pause after the comma in the first line? Without it, the meaning changes. The anonymous poet was wishing peaceful, contented, joyful rest to others, as they remembered Christ their Savior.
“Merry Christmas,” then, can be a prayer within a greeting. Something like:
Oh, Lord, may your spirit of peace rest upon the life of this person. May he/she experience the blessing of your presence and your joy.”
There are many people around us who need a divine touch, especially during the Christmas season. The merriment around these folks seems a mockery of their despair. Perhaps that includes you. May the prayers below speak a Merry Christmas blessing to you, especially if you are:
Lonely. Oh, God, wrap a loving embrace of your comfort around those who do not have family or friends with them this Christmas. I thank you for the promise that you are our refuge and strength, always ready to help when we need you (Psalm 46:1). Be a warm solace, I pray, to the one who feels alone.
Enduring hardship. Oh, God, may the blessing of Christmas include grace and mercy for your children who are suffering through difficulty. Out of your compassionate mercy, ease their burden, and out of your unfailing grace, grant them strength and favor (Hebrews 4:16).
Struggling with painful memories of Christmases past. Oh, God, shower your tender, loving care upon those with hurts from the past, hurts that cast a shadow over the joys of the present. Grant them liberating freedom from emotional distress. May your peace cover those memories, so they no longer cause anguish (John 14:27).
For all of us, Heavenly Father, may the blessing of Christmas include renewed wonder for the indescribable gift of your Son. Thank you for providing through him the way to eternal life. Such peace and blessing are ours in that single assurance!
(art credit: www.christmasgreetingsmessages.com.)
From the Inside Out 
Thank you so much for those prayers, dearest Nancy! Truly a Christmas blessing! “Heavenly Father, help Nancy and her family to recognize Your abiding presence in their lives. Show them, through people around them, how much You care for them. Help her (and all of us) to speak boldly of the Reason for this season and all seasons still to come, namely Jesus. In His name I pray!”
Heidi, your prayer is being answered! Steve and I ARE surrounded by a loving church family, and look forward to Christmas with our children and grandchildren. God has also made possible the sharing of our faith. With you, I pray for more opportunities and holy boldness to tell others about the peace and joy we have in Jesus. Thank you so much for your thoughtful prayer, Heidi.
May God bless you with peace this Christmas Nancy. You have been a blessing with your blog.
Thank you, Laura. I do experience God’s peace every day. His mercies are new every morning, aren’t they!
Nancy, I think I identified with the prayer for a renewed wonder….your prayers make MY heart merry.
God bless you!
I am blessed to make your heart merry, Jodi! Thank you for being a faithful follower.
Inspired! I never realized this as I sang the song countless times in my life! I love the idea of ‘Merry Christmas’ being a prayer within a greeting. I will remember this forever. Thanks, Nancy!
You are welcome, Cheri. I’m so glad you found the post meaningful. As I said “Merry Christmas” to folks this season, I tried to speak a blessing, too, even if it was just in my heart. I felt like a special agent, dispensing joy and uplift to others. And, of course, I received a great blessing, too!