It only takes a spark to get the fire going.
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing.
That’s how it is with God’s love,
Once you have experienced it
You want to sing
You feel like spring
You want to pass it on…
A few of us gathered together for Secret Santa tidings, divided by names and united through a common Christmas spirit of sharing. And it is in this spirit that we bring this blog chain to you.
I am thankful to Bhavya Nandakumar (Ishithaa) for passing on the baton of spreading Christmas joy and spirit.
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As the stars twinkled in the sky,
The carols lighted the night
With merry and melody.
For the festive thrives in joy, and
All we hear are the jingles all the way.
Today, a good friend of mine had asked me what Merry meant in ‘Merry Christmas‘. Why isn’t it Happy Christmas like every other wish? It can be Happy Christmas as well, right? I have always been so drowned in the spirit of Christmas that I never realized that the difference in the wishes. In short, I articulated something like, “It means the almost the same, may be perhaps it is same, but in my opinion, if I have to really explain, Happy is a feeling and Merry sets up an environment and spreads happiness and joy. Believe it or not, it sure does give that vibe!”. I would be lying if I said that I really explained as mentioned earlier. I was too dumb to even think about this.
“What does Christmas truly mean?”, another good friend asked me. I tried to explain it, but I was short of words. It is a bummer, given the fact that I am a very renowned writer (no one knows about, yet), but in my opinion there is no perfect answer. We may try to define it, put it in words and all, but then we will realize that it is so much deeper. It is the feeling which we could not define but only show. But then again, what does Christmas mean to you? What does Christmas mean to me? Let me put it one word : Joy. Togetherness. Love. Food. Happiness. Gifts. Santa. And so much more. And yes, I said one word but, like I mentioned its’ an feeling we could never measure or quantify.
Every year we used to put up the decorations at school and then at home. Yes, two places, since decorating the Christmas tree has always been fun and the spirit of togetherness that it brings upon is something to remember for a lifetime (each year, almost like the new year resolutions- always new). And not to mention the food and the delicacies that were prepared during this time is an absolute delight. As we grew up, people drifted, be it studies or work or any other reason, but this one season brings everyone closer to each other.
So, this brings me to the most popular game Secret Santa. For the past few years, we have been playing the game at office. Now, we have moved on to online Secret Santa. Because, sharing is the spirit of Christmas, the joy and well the gifts. I am glad to be a part of three different Secret Santa, one being at office. My friends at office were really jealous of this whole online Secret Santa thing whenever I used to get a gift, from someone I truly don’t even know. And I had got amazing gifts. Though, I don’t know who my Santa is yet for the #UnWrapChristmas , but I love the gift. Yes, I am lame at telling my preferences for the gift, but I don’t believe in what people give, I believe in the thought to share. That is more than enough for me. Yes, I wouldn’t say that I don’t like getting gifts, come on, who doesn’t like to get gifts. But the feeling to share something with someone we may/ may not entirely know is exactly the spirit of Christmas.
I would be lying if I said that I had a great year. But then again, there is always a tomorrow, and it happens to Christmas. The day when we all forget all the worries and just be with people we love and cherish. It is this season that brings upon joy and gives the much needed hope that the green is greener on the other side and the sun brighter. And most importantly its the season that symbolizes togetherness. So, embrace the people around you, give them a hug, they might not need it, but it will give them the much needed warmth and they will absolutely feel much better. And just in case, if you are stuck in an office working, or cribbing over the pages of your book for the exams, or may be just alone, remember that the warmth and joy of the season and the people close will reach you and embrace you, Happy Christmas.
A Merry Christmas to each and every one. Let’s spread Love and Happiness.
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I would now like to invite Parul Kashyap Thakur (Happiness and Food) to spread the message of Christmas and New Years on their blog.
32 responses to “#UNWRAPCHRISTMAS By Spreading Happiness and Love.”
Oh, I had asked that to my Mom – why Merry and not Happy. 🙂
And I loved playing Secret Santa this year. Wish you a very Merry Christmas, Ajay 🙂
I hope it was the same answer or atleast similar. So that I know that I wasn’t wrong after all.
So did I. We should do this more often, don’t you think?
And thank you. Merry Christmas and a very happy new year to you and your family.
Never thought of the distinction, Ajay. Thank you for sharing. I do hope the new year is a better one for you.
I hope I was right about my views of the distinction.
Thank you. Happy new year to you too.
What a beautiful post Ajay! 3 secret Santa’s? Wow lucky man! Indeed you made me pause and wonder why Merry and not Happy is used with Christmas. Your explanation sounds perfect. Here’s wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ahead!
Thank you , Kala.
Yeah, I know right. My friends were jealous, kinda.
I hope I was right about it though.
Thank you. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you and your family.
Good to read about your christmas story, Ajay. Wish you a merry christmas 🙂
Thank you.
Wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
Ajay you are a great writer and that comes through in this post… (famous writer also you are and we all know that 😛 But your posts always have this way of staying with me. What you said about merry… is something I myself wondered but never quite articulated it right 🙂
Thank you for always being a part of Unwrap Christmas a yearly activity that gives me a lot of joy.
A very Merry Christmas and a happy new year 🙂
Thank you Richa.
You’re too kind to say that. And even more so in calling me a famous writer.
I hope I was right about it.
It’s my pleasure, as always.
Thank you. A very Merry Christmas to you too and a prosperous New Year.
That’s a question I’ve wondered about too – why merry and not happy! Secret Santa has been a lot of fun, hasn’t it?
Wish you a Merry Christmas and a very happy new year!
You too?
Yes, it has been fun.
Thank you.
Merry Christmas to you too. And a very happy new year.
Christmas this year was so special with secret Santa and I watched When Harry Met Sally on TV today & wondered how they capture the festive spirit so well in English movies .. Even if we don’t really celebrate it there is something bright and happy about Christmas and you can’t escape the joy even if you aren’t making ‘merry’.
Exactly, right?
Christmas brings out that spirit in people.
Thanks for dropping by.
Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.
Have a great year-end, buddy!
Thank you.
Happy New Year to you too. 😀
Merry Christmas to you too dear.
Great post.
I hope the new year brings merrier and brighter days to you.
Thank you.
Merry Christmas to you.
I hope the same for you too. Thank you.
Even I have wondered about why they say “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Christmas”, for a long time. And the answer you have provided here seems the most logical and the best one. So, I thank you for the enlightenment.
Why, thank you. 🙂
I am glad you agree. Also, for dropping by. 😀
You’re most welcome!! I enjoyed reading some of your posts!!
Oh thank you. You’re too kind. 🙂
P.S. You are still up? :O
Yea… Had a nap in an odd hour, so still quite awake…
Oh, I understand. Though this is my usual routine. 😛
Hmm, Good Night, I guess.
Good night!!
Oh well, I am staying up all night. 🙂
But sleep well yourself. 😀
Ooh… Staying up all night… You must have a very interesting schedule…!!
Oh well, not my place to judge…
Sayonara!!
This is my usual night after a day at office. 🙂
Just movies and TV series and may be catch a game of football.
Subtle.
Anyway, G’Nite. 🙂