Why not use the word Christmas?

Question

Why do people feel the need to put "X-mas" or Holiday instead of Christmas. Like Holiday Tree, what the...? Are people so afraid to say the real word for it or to actually type out the name Christ instead of an X?

It may derive from greek but NOW people don't use it that way. But thanks for the input anyways

One more thing... I hear Happy Kwanza and all that but no Merry Christmas, instead its Happy Holiday. The whole point of Christmas is Christ's birthday, whether you believe in Christ or not. Its not originally meant for people to spend a thousand dollars on gifts. But thats what it has turned in to. I am not saying any other religious holiday celebrated at the same time is wrong, I just think people these days use X-mas as a simple short cut rather than the Greek term it is and say Holiday to avoid hurting anyone's feelings. If you don't believe in Christ, why celebrate his birthday?

Answer 1

Well it's two separate questions there. The use of Holiday rather than Christmas is because there is actually more than just your holiday being celebrated right now. Happy Holidays is a way of accepting that not everyone celebrates the same holiday but it doesn't make the holiday they celebrate any less important.

But yes the answer about X meaning Chi is technically correct, and it bothers me when Christians get uptight without even knowing the translation behind the abbreviation. Though I suspect many of us just use it as a shortcut, I know personally I use it in order to take out the Christ out of Christmas. It does not reflect my religious beliefs but is a time to celebrate the end of the year and winter solstice with my family. However, my family does celebrate Christmas so it is easier to all get together on that one day.

I try to always respect others beliefs by saying Happy Holidays instead of acting under the assumption that they should be Christian.

Answer 2

People who write X-mas instead of Christmas are not trying to take Christ out of Christmas. It's just a shorthand way of spelling out Christmas. Maybe it's lazy of people, but it's not malicious. As for saying "Happy Holidays," what Christians (am I am a Christian) fail to understand is that Christmas is not the only holiday in December. There is also Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and I believe there is a Muslim holiday as well. Saying "Happy Holidays" includes EVERYONE, not just Christians. You can't tell by looking at someone what religion they are (okay, sometimes, you can, but not always). Why not in the spirit of things try to include everyone? I think the "Holiday tree" is stupid, though because no other religion puts up trees except Christians for Christmas, but you know what? I've got so much more important things in my life to worry about than whether the tree downtown is called a Christmas tree or a Holiday tree. It really doesn't affect me and my beliefs one way or the other.

Answer 3

Blame the politically correct individuals who are so afraid of what other religions might think.
I am a Merry Christmas person myself and will always be. I don't believe that I should change how I think of Christmas as a Christian woman when I am in the company of others who may not be Christians. We all have our beliefs; there is nothing wrong with that. I respect other individual's beliefs. Why can't we all do the same. As far as I am concerned, no one's faith is better than an others'

Further, using the word X-Mas for Christmas is just plain lazy.

Merry Christmas to all!!!!

Answer 4

some Christians believe it is not Christ's birthday and choose to celebrate the holiday but not as his birth only as a holiday. non Christians celebrate the holiday as do some atheist or agnostics. they exchange gifts put up the tree and go thought the motions but take Christ out of Christmas. i do not agree with this but it is what it is. also the holiday tree term is an attempt to market the trees to more than just those celabreating xmas/CHRISTmas. the holiday is all inclusive term for all the holidays running from thanksgiving to new years. christmas, hannuka, kwanza, and even xmas for those nonbelievers. it is more politically correct to say xmas or holiday tree.

Answer 5

As far as Holiday trees, I don't get that one at all since Christmas and Yule are the only winter holidays that have a tree as part of their decor. Hanukkah, Ramadan and Kwanzaa certainly don't.

As far as Xmas vs Christmas, as others have stated, do research on the word before you start criticizing and jumping to conclusions. Otherwise you do come across as ignorant and misinformed. By your thinking, I guess we should eliminate all other words in the English language that are derived from Greek because you don't speak it? Do you have any idea how petty that sounds?

Do whatever pleases you and don't worry about what others do since they are not hurting you, no matter what you might think otherwise.

Answer 6

I have no doubt that some people write "Xmas" because they are too busy or too lazy to write out the whole word. And no doubt some secular people, who are just as uninformed as Christians, see "Xmas" as a way to avoid writing "Christ." And certainly there are secular and commercial motives in the fact that "XMAS" appears in ads and signs because it can be larger and more attention getting in the same amount of space (more bang for the buck). But those factors do not take away the thoroughly Christian origin of the word "Xmas." In this instance, all of the hype and hysteria over supposedly taking Christ out of Christmas by writing "Xmas" instead of spelling out "Christmas" is both uninformed and misdirected.

Answer 7

I write xmas because it's easy and I'm lazy. Nobody actually says "xmas" instead of Christmas! I just sometimes write it that way because it's shorter. I've never seen "holiday tree" anywhere... and I don't think people are "afraid" to use the word Christmas.

Answer 8

Its so sad. People are trying to take Christ out of Christmas. But what they forget is that HE is the reason we celebrate Christmas!! It has turned into nothing more than a commercial holiday, and the true meaning of Christmas has been forgotten. Sad.


Christmas is a CHRISTIAN holiday! We let other religions enjoy their holidays, why cant everyone just let us enjoy ours the way we always have?

Answer 9

The use of the word Xmas is actually well based in Christian history. The first letters of the name Christ in Greek is chi which looks like the letter X. Hence the use of Xmas and X in general to mean Jesus Christ. This is a very old usage and not meant to be anti-Christian at all. Learn your religious history before you complain.

Answer 10

because people are lazy, and don't respect the real meaning of the day. Its disrespectful to write it as x-mas, the holiday is about Jesus and his birth, that is why it has his name at the beginning, and those who don't use it, don't believe. Its sad.