2006-12-07 09:53:54 · 6 answers · asked by Katrina S 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
The first letter of Christ in the Greek language, where we get the word in the first place, is X [chi, said "kye," in English].
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=Xmas&sourceid=Mozilla-search
2006-12-07 10:01:58 · answer #1 · answered by sonyack 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Greek character "X", or chi, has been an acceptable symbol for Christ for hundreds of years, with Xmas, Xian etc. deriving from that practice.
It has nothing to do with crosses, or taking the Christ out of Christmas. Some people use it because it is shorter, others because to write "Christ" is sacriligous.
Oddly enough, it seems to be non-Christians who know this, while Christians are completely ignorant of this basic historical fact of their faith--using that ignorance to make lazy judgements about others.
2006-12-07 18:37:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
personally i think it was a group of people that decided that Jesus Christ should no longer be associated with Christmas. so instead of using Christmas, they shortened it to x-mas and tried to change the meaning of the whole holiday. when i was a kid i use to hear about Jesus Christ all the time during this time of year, now you never hear anything about him. you actually have to go looking for songs about him. no one sings "Little Drummer Boy" any more. Go Figure!!
2006-12-07 18:24:43 · answer #3 · answered by David L 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
because "x" standsfor hugs and you cant have hugs unless your together with a family. and thats the real meaning of christmas. that is why christmas is abbreviated "X-Mas"
2006-12-07 18:01:05 · answer #4 · answered by iluvbratz1294 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Because people now and days are lazy.
2006-12-07 18:29:24 · answer #5 · answered by Not Known To Me. The Voter ;~`}= 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because Christ is symbolized by a cross.
2006-12-07 18:01:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋