What is the meaning of 'Merry Christmas'?

Merry Christmas is the number one greeting during this religious celebration among 3 billion Christians in a world of 8 billion people. The rest of the world also uses Christmas greetings in various languages as the whole of humankind celebrates Christmas as a cultural, economic and business festival.

Merry Christmas is Feliz Navidad in Spanish, Feliz Natal in Portuguese, Buon Natale in Italian, Joyeux Noel in French, Frohe Weihnachten in German, Prettige Kerstagen or Vrolijik Kerstfeest  in Dutch, Sheng Dan jie Kuaile in Mandarin, Merikurisumasu in Japanese, Keuriseumasu in Korean, and Selamat Hari Natal in Bahasa Malaysia and Indonesia.In Russia and Ukraine, one greets Merry Christmas by saying Schastivogo Rozhdestva. In Romanian, it is Craciun Fericit, and God Jul in Swedish and Norwegian. In Denmark, it is Glaedelig Jul and Hyvaa Jul in Finland and Iceland. In Czech, it is Vesele vanoce, and Sretan Bozic in Croatian.

In Tagalog, we say: "Maligayang Pasko." In Cebu-Visayan, we say " Maayong Pasko," but 'maayo" means good. So, Merry Christmas should be translated as "Malipayong Pasko." In Ilocano, it is "Naragsak Nga Pascua Cada Cayo Amin." In Pampanga or Kapangpangan, it is “Masaplalang Bayung Banwa keko ngan." In Bicol, it is "Maugmang Kapaskuhan.” In Leyte and Samar, the Warays would say" Maupay Na Pasko.'' In Ilonggo or Hiligaynon, it is ``Malipayon Nga Pascua." or in Aklan "Malipayon Nga Paskwa," These are all the literal meanings of "Merry Christmas."

The essential or real meaning of Merry Christmas all over the Philippines can be divided into two dimensions: religious and secular. The first is the religious or spiritual dimension: In every town, in every city and every province, the focal point of the celebration is the parish church, the city cathedra, the basilica minore. The central figure and head of all religious ceremonies, rites and rituals is the bishop or archbishop and the parish priest in every parish. The Holy Mass or the celebration of the Holy Eucharist is the highest form of prayer. During the Christmas season, the mass is given a local flavor by celebrating the Simbang Gabi, which, by the way, is only being done in the Philippines.

The secular celebration of Christmas is focused on a series of parties being held in the places of work, business, schools, villages, and homeowners' associations, municipal or city halls, capitol buildings and other government offices, both, national, regional and provincial, city and barangay. In urban centers, parties are being held in hotels, big restaurants, resort complexes and club houses. There is so much buying and giving of gifts, raffles and games, sports festivals and Christmas special sales and bazaars. Big taipans and tycoons are often making a lot of money as people spend all their bonuses and thirteenth month pay to splurge and to give away.

But, at the end of the day, what matters most is the family, the expression of love and affections among men and women of goodwill, by holding parties and reunions of relatives and friends, the renewal of ties and family bonds. To my family, merry Christmas means giving something to our close relatives, friends, officemates, business associates and neighbors. To me personally, it is a time of thanksgiving, an expression of gratitude for the gifts of life, of family, of friendship of our business, careers, professions and jobs.

To me, Pasko means Pasasalamat Ko. I thank The Freeman for the opportunity to be a member of the Philippines Star group of publications. I thank the Belmonte and the Gullas families and my editors, my fellow columnists and reporters, and staff, and the management and personnel of this great publication. A Blessed Christmas to all.