DEFINE: Christmas
a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Christ (Princeton Perl)
Christmas is a holiday observed generally on December 25 to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity.
(Wikipedia)
Etymology
The word Christmas originated as a compound meaning "Christ's Mass". It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038.
DEFINE: Mass
In Roman Catholic Church and Protestant Churches, the celebration of the Eucharist or a sequence of prayers constituting the Christian Eucharistic rite; "the priest said Mass"
When saying to another person, "Merry Christmas", one is wishing them a happy, jolly, celebration of the birth of Christ in performance of prayers and celebration of the Eucharist.
Define: Holiday
A holiday is a day designated as having special significance for which individuals, a government, or a religious group have deemed that observation is warranted.
Etymology
The word "holiday" comes from the Old English word hāligdæg. The word originally referred only to special religious days. The word derived from the notion of "Holy Day".
Merry Christ Mass and Happy Holy Day?
You're making too much of something that has changed with the language way too longs ago! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ciss. I'm going some place with this.
ReplyDelete