I've read that term a couple of times here today, as criticism for using the abbreviation "XMas." Here is the origin of this usage:
http://www.cresourcei.org/symbols/xmasorigin.html
It reads, in part:
"Abbreviations used as Christian symbols have a long history in the church. The letters of the word "Christ" in Greek, the language in which the New Testament was written, or various titles for Jesus early became symbols of Christ and Christianity. For example, the first two letters of the word Christ (cristoV, or as it would be written in older manuscripts, CRISTOS) are the Greek letters chi (c or C) and rho (r or R)...a symbol that by the fourth century became part of the official standard of the emperor Constantine....by the fifteenth century Xmas emerged as a widely used symbol for Christmas....there is no grand scheme to dilute Christianity by promoting the use of Xmas..."
I'm aware this is not a question and will be deleted, but I thought it was worth sharing.
: )
2006-11-19 08:52:20 · 13 answers · asked by Chickyn in a Handbasket 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Barb K -- you kinda missed the pint, could you read the whole thing, please?
George -- I am atheist but not ignorant on this subject. If it helps people out, I'm for it! : )
2006-11-19 09:15:23 · update #1
Deanie -- please *read* the article before you leap to conclusions -- it explains the usage!
2006-11-19 09:17:32 · update #2
Thank you. It makes me feel much better about using Xmas instead of Christmas.
2006-11-19 08:54:28 · answer #1 · answered by knowitall 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is a question there: does using the abbreviation "Xmas" take Christ out of Christmas?
Growing up I was always told that it did, but now I believe that it was probably more about teaching me not to be lazy in my spelling and writing. If I'm making lists or notes and using my own persona shorthand, I will use a variation of "Xmas" - instead of the "X" I will use the pax cristi sign, which is a capital P with the X on the stem.
I personally don't use "Xmas" in my typing because I think it looks tacky.
2006-11-19 08:58:04 · answer #2 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Thank you - I keep trying to tell people that we have no interest in taking Christ out of Christmas, whether it's by using x-mas, or saying Happy Holidays to someone. We simply want everyone to be included in a happy season of the year, and recognize that there really are other religions celebrating their faiths too. Very informative!
2006-11-19 09:11:00 · answer #3 · answered by ReeRee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That may not be a source of taking Christ out of Christmas - BUt there is a TON of that going on. Retail stores having their employees only say "happy holldays" - not Merry Christmas. Schools now having "winter holidays" - Christmas vacation. TV stations "blurbs" being "happy holidays - and happy hannika (sorry, I know I spelled that wrong) - happy kwanza - but not "Merry Christmas". Commercialization of the whole season/ Buy me, get me, I can't live without.................
Hello..............Do we not remember what this is all about?
It's the birth of Christ - not the holiday of Visa and Mastercard and political correctness.
Merry Xmas doesn't bother me - and isn't what I think of when somebody talks about taking Christ out of Christmas ------
it's all the rest of this stuff.
2006-11-19 09:03:38 · answer #4 · answered by kids and cats 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cool, it is not the term that bothers me, it is when it is used in context of someone trying to bash my faith.
:) I think, though I will take the time to type out Merry Christmas rather than Xmas.
2006-11-19 08:57:44 · answer #5 · answered by newcovenant0 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
To take Christ name out of Christmas and replace it with a stupid X means to a Christian that you have crossed Christ out of His own birth day celebration. It means a great deal to Chrisitans. This world is trying hand over fist to take Christ out of everything. But it won't work, because you will never take Christ out of a true born again Christian like me and others like me. Praise the Lord!
2006-11-19 08:57:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
That doesn't really help those of us who used Xmas deliberately because it annoyed thin-skinned Christians, does it?
;o)
2006-11-19 08:57:34 · answer #7 · answered by Bad Liberal 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
THANK YOU for your information here. this is what I keep saying that we are to gain in wisdom and knowledge then teach others what we have learned. appreciate you, for proving my point. and a " tip of my hat " as well as a " thank you. "
2006-11-19 09:13:09 · answer #8 · answered by Marvin R 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree! Merry X-Mas everyone!
2006-11-19 08:54:12 · answer #9 · answered by Leaving on a jetplane 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow :)
That's interesting...
Now I can politely come back at any snappy Christians telling me not to blaspheme!
Well, It's Yule to me anyway...
2006-11-19 08:55:02 · answer #10 · answered by Electra 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋