Let's look at wish first of all. In your 'Merry Christmas' example, or when you wish someone good luck or Happy Birthday, you are expressing the hope that they will have good luck in the future ...
They’re lovely occasions to celebrate and wish good health to those ... As we celebrate your latest trip around the sun, I can’t help but think of the light you shine on my life.
Wishing you the best paw-sible holiday season this year! Have a pawsome Christmas and yappy New Year. It’s the holidays and I’m feline good! Fur-real, wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy ...
And my god, will you get a good dose of silly at this pocket-size musical. ‘I Wish You Well’ opens with X-Factor popstar Diana Vickers channelling the low drawl of Gwyneth Paltrow.