50 Christmas Words That Start With J (List With Meanings)

One of the most known words starting with J related to Christmas is Jesus, but it is not the only word used to describe the holiday. Knowing the many words associated with Christmas helps expand our vocabulary and gives us ideas for decorating, crafting, and writing Christmas cards.

Image with text saying Christmas Words That Start With J

Here’s a list of Christmas words that start with the letter J, including their meanings:

Jack

A first name, such as Jack Frost, or the name of a toy (Jack-in-the-Box) with a figure attached to a spring that pops up when the lid on the box is opened.

Example: It was so cold out Christmas morning we knew Jack Frost came for a visit along with Santa Claus.

Jerusalem

A holy city in Eastern Asia and home to many Christmas festivities.

Example: Some Christians believe visiting Jerusalem for Christmas is one of the most exciting and special times of year to travel there.

Jessica

The first name of Mrs. Claus in the Christmas television special that everyone loves, “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.”

Example: Jessica was ready for Christmas, and she became even more excited when she watched Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and learned she had the same first name as Mrs. Claus.

Jesus

A prophet in the first century of this era and the son of God.

Example: Christians celebrate Christmas because of the ultimate gift God gave humanity – Jesus.

Jiminy

The first name of Jiminy Cricket, a Disney character, and also a term used in place of Jesus Christ.

Example: Tommy wanted to remain on Santa’s nice list, so he would often say “Fudge” and “Jiminy Crickets” when he was made so he would not say anything wrong.

Jingle

A light ringing sound is made from metal objects that are shaken and clanging together, such as a bell or coins in the pocket.

Example: The jingle of the bells at church let everyone know Midnight Mass was about to begin.

Jingling

The act of causing a light metallic ringing sound, such as the jingling of sleigh bells.

Example: Suddenly, we heard jingling from the sky and knew Santa and his reindeer were nearby.

Jingly

Something that has a series of high-pitched ringing sounds, such as coins in a pocket being bounced around together or a string of bells.

Example: All of the bells on the Christmas tree were ringing simultaneously; it created a jingly sound that ran throughout the house.

Jolly

Happy and cheerful, such as jolly ole’ Saint Nick.

Example: I love how everyone is so jolly during the Christmas season.

Joseph

The man who was betrothed to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Example: Joseph was by Mary’s side during the birth of Jesus.

Journey

The act of traveling to a specific, unique location, such as the journey taken by Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem.

Example: Every Christmas is an adventure as we take a road trip and journey to visit my grandparents.

Jovial

The act of being cheerful or friendly.

Example: Everyone at the party was jovial, especially after their boss handed out their annual Christmas bonus.

Jovially

Something or someone characterized by being full of cheerfulness and jolliness, such as Santa Claus.

Example: The elves jovially went to work every day before Christmas to ensure enough toys were made for all the good girls and boys.

Joviality

The state of being jovial and in a good mood or pleasant situation.

Example: When we started decorating for Christmas, a sudden air of joviality filled the room from all the excitement.

Joy

A feeling of great pleasure or happiness, such as the joy of Christmas.

Example: The kids cheered with joy when Santa walked into the room with a sack full of Christmas presents.

Joyful

The act of feeling, causing, or expressing great pleasure and happiness.

Example: The joyful Christmas celebration downtown was the perfect place for sipping hot cocoa, seeing holiday lights, shopping from local vendors, and enjoying time with friends and family.

Joyfully

With great pleasure and happiness.

Example: After several years without snow on Christmas Day, I joyfully welcome the cold weather and the potential for snow this year.

Joyfulness

The act of experiencing, showing, or causing joy.

Example: The joyfulness of the crowd could only mean Santa had arrived on his sleigh, but that also meant the Christmas parade was about to end.

Joyous

It is being full of happiness and joy, such as an exciting occasion or event during Christmas.

Example: Our Christmas party was a joyous event that we look forward to hosting every year.

Joyeux

Being merry, cheerful, or laughingly lively, such as Joyeux Noel.

Example: Jimmy said he was “Joyeux that Santa was coming.” We had no idea he knew the French word for happy.

Jubilance

Showing great joy, rejoicing, or satisfaction, such as the jubilance cheers of the elves.

Example: The jubilance of the children made it challenging to get them to go to bed on Christmas Eve.

Jubilant

The feeling of great happiness or triumph.

Example: The jubilant crowd cheered the moment the Christmas tree was lit.

Jubilantly

The act of feeling or expressing great happiness.

Example: We jubilantly danced in the town’s square as Christmas carols played and the tree lights were turned on.

Jubilation

A feeling of great happiness or triumph about something.

Example: There was jubilation in the crowd as the snow started to fall the same evening the town lit its Christmas tree.

Jubilee

A celebration of an event, often occurring on the 25th and 50th anniversary of something.

Example: This year’s Christmas jubilee will be celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas, with each area of the celebration themed around one of the gifts featured in the song.

Julefrokost

A Danish Christmas celebration featuring a buffet with traditional holiday foods and beverages often served around lunchtime.

Example: Mom decided she didn’t want to host a traditional Christmas dinner; this year, we hosted a Julefrokost.

Jacket

An outer garment that is used to keep a person warm when going outside in cold temperatures and wintery weather conditions.

Example: The weather on Christmas Day was warm enough that we didn’t need to wear our jackets, but it was chilly enough that we were still required to wear a sweater

Jaw

The lower formation of the mouth that is a bony structure offering support for the gums and teeth.

Example: The kids were so in awe when they went downstairs and saw all the Christmas presents Santa left, their jaws dropped to the ground.

Jealous

Having a feeling of envy toward another person based on their achievements and advantages.

Example: Mom was jealous that dad was taking the kids out sledding Christmas morning while she stayed home to start preparing for company.

Jealously

Acting in a way that shows an envious resentment of someone based on their achievements and advantages.

Example: Jack acted jealously when he saw the Lego set his brother got for Christmas, but that quickly ended when he opened up the Lego set he wanted.

Jeopardize

To be put in a situation that could pose a danger, loss, or harm.

Example: We tried to get my brother to sleep because we were afraid if he stayed away in the living room, he would jeopardize the chance of Santa delivering Christmas presents.

Justify

To show or prove to be right about something, or to declare and make righteous in the sight of God.

Example: The kids were so worried they would not get a visit from Santa they felt they had to justify what happened that caused the vase in the dining room to break.

Justifiably

The act of doing something with a good reason.

Example: The local community was justifiably concerned that the new Christmas festival would attract too much traffic, but they knew it would be a fun event and worth the added traffic.

Jittery

The act of being nervous or having the inability to relax.

Example: The kids started getting extremely jittery after eating all the Christmas candy and goodies.

Journal

A newspaper or magazine dealing with a particular activity or a daily record of news and events, such as a diary.

Example: Celia kept a journal of how good she was all year long so she could prove to Santa she deserved presents under the tree Christmas morning.

Journaling

The act of writing in a journal or diary regularly, almost daily.

Example: Aunt Maggie was so into journaling that we bought her a gift basket filled with colorful pens, stickers, and hardcovered journals for Christmas.

Jewelry

Personal ornaments worn on the body include necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings.

Example: Dad got mom the same thing he always gets her for Christmas; matching jewelry, including earrings and a necklace.

Jewels

A precarious stone, often a single crystal, can be a group of stones cut into flat facets, smoothed and polished, and used as an ornament or within jewelry designs.

Example: Grandma loved dressing up with her precious jewelry for Midnight Mass and for our annual family Christmas party.

Jitterbugs

A nervous group of people or a dance performed to Swing music in the 1940s.

Example: The elves were so excited for Santa to return from his Christmas Eve run they were all acting like jitterbugs waiting to hear how it went.

Juicy

A food item that is full of juice or interesting and scandalous gossip.

Example: The turkey at Christmas dinner may have been a bit overcooked and dried out, but the ham was very juicy, making it the food of choice among our party guests.

Jump

To push oneself off of a surface into the air using the muscles in the legs.

Example: The kids came downstairs and saw all the presents left by Santa; they jumped for joy.

Jewellike

Something or someone with characteristics resembling a jewel.

Example: The Christmas lights around town twinkled and appeared jewellike among the falling snow.

Jamboree

A large celebration or party that is typically planned as a boisterous or lavish event.

Example: This year, our Christmas party will be a huge jamboree, with all our friends and family coming over for dinner, gift-giving, and caroling.

Joystick

A control lever that can be moved in all directions to control the movement of a character or object in a video game.

Example: Dad is so old, and every Christmas, he talks about how he was a master of his Atari joystick, yet he cannot grasp using one for my Playstation.

Jokester

Someone who enjoys creating fun situations or telling jokes.

Example: My cousin was such a jokester, and we knew we would get some type of gag gift every Christmas, but this year he surprised us all and gave us ornaments.

Joyride

A drive in a vehicle that is meant for enjoyment with no particular destination or travel itinerary in mind.

Example: When dad gave mom the keys to her new car for Christmas, she immediately hopped in and went for a quick joyride around the neighborhood.

Jumpers

Collarless and sleeveless dresses are usually worn over a blouse.

Example: My aunt wore the cutest Christmas jumper to dinner. It was covered in penguins and reindeer.

Juicer

Something with more juice or fluids in it than another item can mean very interesting gossip or scandalous story compared to other tales.

Example: My sister learned a little more about cooking since last Christmas because her turkey was much juicier than the one she made last year.

Jinxed

Something or someone that brings bad luck, or to have an evil spell cast upon someone or something.

Example: I always worried that if my brothers were on Santa’s naughty list, they jinxed Christmas, and I would be left without presents from Santa. But luckily enough, he always came.