<\/p>\n
\u201cMerry as a cricket\u201d (John Heywood).<\/p>\n
JUST AS \u201cMIRTH\u201d SUGGESTS LIGHTHEARTEDNESS AND EASY LAUGHTER, \u201cMERRIMENT\u201d SUGGESTS SOCIABILITY AND FONDNESS FOR GOOD COMPANY. Merriment is usually a group activity. It\u2019s true, we may speak of an individual being merry, as noted below, but typically, merriment is something people enjoy when they\u2019re together. Indeed merriment can almost be defined as the enjoyment of togetherness. It\u2019s the kind of cheerfulness that families and friends and comrades take such pleasure in at this season of the year, especially if they\u2019re not able to see one another often at other times.<\/p>\n
When people gather together, is it not a delight \u2014 a genuine joy \u2014 when the gathering is one of merriment? Not every meeting can be merry, of course; the purpose for some gatherings requires a more somber mood. But aren\u2019t we thankful when a gathering is one where merriment is possible? Don\u2019t we eagerly look forward to appointments and assemblies where merrymaking is on the agenda?<\/p>\n
And even with regard to individual people, is it not a delight when we encounter someone who is merry? Too much of our time is taken up dealing with people who are surly and morose; it\u2019s like a breath of fresh air to encounter those who, while having just as many problems as anyone else, choose to be merry. And can\u2019t we see that those who encounter us would also prefer to deal with someone who is merry? Merriment is a gift we can give to those around us.<\/p>\n
Although merriment is often serendipitous (we discover it unexpectedly while we\u2019re looking for something else), it\u2019s also a good thing that we set aside certain times for it and let that be the primary thing we\u2019re looking for. We don\u2019t need to apologize for the fact that we mark special spaces on the calendar and reserve them for merriment. There\u2019d be little merriment in our lives if we didn\u2019t arrange for it.<\/p>\n
And so our traditional greeting at this time of year is wonderfully appropriate: Merry Christmas!<\/em> It is wise and it is good that we designate these days to indulge our deep-down fondness for good company.<\/p>\n Heap on more wood! \u2014 the wind is chill; Gary Henry \u2013 WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com<\/p>\n
But let it whistle as it will,
We\u2019ll keep our Christmas merry still.
(Sir Walter Scott)<\/p>\n