"Merry Christmas" is a greeting that is often used during the holiday season to express goodwill and happiness towards others. It is typically used as a way to wish someone a joyful and festive holiday. The phrase is derived from the old English phrase "God's rest," which was used to wish someone a peaceful and restful period during the holiday season. The modern version of the phrase, "Merry Christmas," was popularized by Charles Dickens in his novel "A Christmas Carol" in 1843.