why do we command each other to be merry? is it an order, merry xmas/ or merely a suggestion? or is it a wish? It appears to be in the imperative. but there is no verb. Have a merry xmas” seems like a suggestion, in a way. given the prevalence of seasonal depression, increased suicide rates, general feeling of despondency, I believe we should stop wishing or suggesting merriness, especially when people are generally tense and unmerry. The secret to actual merriness is low expectations. In order to beat expectations, it is far better to wish someone a fair, or quotidian, or mediocre, or passable, or even so-so winter solstice. by doing so, you will be breaking with habitual practices ( a valuable thing in itself) and also by lowering expectations, yu willa actually be increasing the chances that the other will have something approaching adecent holiday. The depressing thing is in not meeting expectations. So-so holidays to all!