why do people say Xmas instead of Christmas?

Answer 1

Xmas and Christmas are said the same way...."Christmas." In the written word, Xmas is a short version for Christmas; they mean the same thing. It has nothing to do with taking the Christ out of Christmas or used by athiests. If athiests use it because it isn't written out as Christ, they are mistaken and uninformed of the history.

Answer 2

Christmas is sometimes shortened to Xmas, an abbreviation that has a long history.[4] In early Greek versions of the New Testament, the letter Χ (chi), is the first letter of Christ (Χριστός). Since the mid-sixteenth century Χ, or the similar Roman letter X, was used as an abbreviation for Christ.[5]

Answer 3

Mr. Jaw's answer above is correct. I will just add a bit. I read some Greek, but so not have a Greek font installed, so I will use Latin Letters from the English alphabet to substitute.

The "X" in Xmas is not an English "x" but it is the Greek letter Chi. This letter is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ. When you see some bumper stickers or trunk ornaments with the Christian Fish symbol, the Greek letters written inside the fish include this letter. The New Testiment was written in Greek so this is perhaps appropriate.

The Greek letters in the fish symbol are an achronym--- pronouncable abreviation -- (I Ch Th U S) for a Greek phrase that translates to something like "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour."

These letters, when spoken in Greek have the sound of a Greek word that means fish. The English word for the scientific study of fish "Ichtheology" comes from this word.

I wrote two letters in the English (latin) alphabet for Chi and Theta, since these Greek letters take two Latin letters to write.

Merry Christmas to each of you in all languages that you speak.

Answer 4

I don't know, but I never say xmas. I will always say Christmas... speaking of which, Merry Christmas!

Answer 5

xmas is much shorter and faster to write on christmas cards

Answer 6

People who don't believe in Jesus Christ and the people who are atheist try to avoid saying Christ before mas so they say x_mas instead of Christmas and unfortunately some people say or write x-mas cause they find it much easier to say or write but we need to remember that its Christ birth and keep saying Christmas ..

Answer 7

X symbolizes Jesus, because it's a cross.

Supposedly Xmas should be pronounced "Christmas" and not "Ex mass".

It saves space, ink, or both.

Answer 8

How does one SAY Xmas?

Answer 9

It takes the word Christ out of it, It is a way for atheist to say the holiday meaning without saying the word Christ, wow we have really reached the 21 century,

Answer 10

Easier and faster to write. I believe the Romans used x for Christ.