Merry Men

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

• Luke 2:13-14

“When at this season of the year we wish our friends a ‘Merry Christmas,’ it is essential to realize that true merriment of heart is contingent upon the recognition of the truth that Christ was born in Bethlehem for our salvation. The word ‘merry’ is from an old Anglo-Saxon word which meant ‘famous,’ ‘illustrious,’ ‘great,’ or ‘mighty.’ Originally, to be merry did not imply to be merrily mirthful, but strong and gallant. It was in this sense that gallant soldiers were called ‘merry men.’ Favorable weather was called ‘merry weather.’ Brisk winds were called a ‘merry gale.’ Spenser speaks of London as ‘merry London.’ The word ‘merry’ carries with it the double thought of…