Is “Merry Christmas” the Same As “Happy Christmas?”

(Proverbs 17:22 KJV)  A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

This is a repeat of 15:13:

PRO 15:13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.

It is common wisdom that attitude can have a “good” (3190) effect.  I guess the question of the day is “What can I do to have a ‘merry’ (joyful NASB) (8056) ‘heart’ (3820)?” 

Sometimes we can’t do much of anything.  We have hormones.  We face fatigue.  Weather happens.  But in that context we can make choices.  We can sense our moods and begin to turn our emotional weather vanes in a different direction.  Sure, the wind will keep blowing, but if we don’t start the process it will never change.

So?  Do what you can.  Change your focus.  Sing a hymn.  Read an uplifting Psalm.  Allow the Holy Spirit to begin to life you.  It will make a difference.  It has for me.