Why do people say Merry Xmas?

Question

It really makes me mad. Xmas takes the 'Christ' out of Christmas.

Answer 1

Here is the origin of this usage:

http://www.cresourcei.org/symbols/xmasor...

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..."

Answer 2

I don't exactly like "Xmas" either. But in Greek X=Christ, so that's probably where it comes from. People use is just cause it's a shorter way for saying Christmas. But technically "Xmas" still means Christmas!

Answer 3

Xmas = Christmas.
The "X" does NOT take Christ out of Christmas; in fact, it's just an abbreviation of the word, contrary to the popular myth.

In Greek the word Christ is "Χριστός", or "Christos". They shortened the word Christmas with the first letter of Χριστός, or X.

Answer 4

There was a time and place, not sure where but probably middle ages England, where saying Christmas could get you arrested. So xmas was developed as a simple code. It was in some religiously repressed society, so maybe not England, sorry, but anyway that's the reason.

Answer 5

When have you ever heard someone say merry Xmas. It would sound like "exmas". It's just an abbreviation used in typing sometimes and is pronounced Christmas.

Answer 6

It's origin may be genuine, but it's modern day use symbolizes an agnostic outlook on the Christan holiday. Christmas is the celebration of the the birth of Jesus Christ. To say using "X" is a convenience is simply the voice of someone that condones laziness.

Answer 7

It is just an abbreviation. Not meant to offend anyone. Merry Christmas for next year.

Answer 8

people say "Xmas" simply for the convenience that it is shorter and easier to type. And isn't it the thought and not the "Christ" in christmas that makes the difference?

~Scholar~

Answer 9

If it makes you so upset, you need to get your priorities re-organized. You are basically saying, if other people don't honor the holiday the same way you do, it is impermissible by you.

Now, look wider and see what other problem we are currently having are caused by this exact same logic?

You celebrate your own holiday and let others do the same in the way they see fit.

Answer 10

Nobody actually says the words Merry Xmas.
They write it sometimes because it's an abbreviation.

Christmas is over. Find something that's not tired out to be offended by.