how come we substitue x for christ in christmas?
2007-12-29 02:41:56 · 10 answers · asked by zanessa<3 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
The "x" is a symbol for Christ (cross), hence Xmas
2007-12-29 02:49:19 · answer #1 · answered by Maria 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many theories on this.
For one, Xmas is essentially just a shortening of Christmas.
A prominent number of people believe that 'Xmas' was a way to de-Christianize Christmas. By obviously removing 'Christ' from the celebration, Xmas becomes a more universal celebration : A Hallmark occasion dedicated to partying and gifts. Hardly what the original meaning of Christmas is.
So you could say that Xmas is a denial of Christ in this celebration.
2007-12-29 02:52:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think Christmas means the celebration of Christ. So xmas should be the celebration if X lol. Just kidding. but I have no idea where the X came from.
2007-12-29 02:49:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read this webpage as to why it is Merry:
http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/2/messages/243.html
Christmas is: Christ's mass
why the x?
It is said that when the Emperor Constantine had his great vision that caused him to convert to Christianity, he saw the Greek letters Chi and Rho intertwined. Chi is written as an 'X' and Rho is written as a 'P', but they are the first two letters of the Greek word Christ 'savior'. 'XP' is sometimes used to stand for Christ. Sometimes X is used alone. This is the case in the Chi (X) abbreviation for Christ in Xmas. Thus, Xmas is not directly a way of secularizing the holiday, but since 'X' is not Chi in English, we read the word as X-mas and see no connection with Christ.
2007-12-29 02:49:02 · answer #4 · answered by Violet 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
An abbreviation for Christmas, from the Greek spelling of Christ, the first letter of which was chi ("X").
Merry X-mas.
2007-12-29 02:51:33 · answer #5 · answered by chante 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
cause the x is Xmas meaning a short word then saying merry Christmas.
2007-12-29 03:36:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
X (symbol for Christ from the Greek letter chi (X), initial of Christos, or, Christ.) Christ + mass. Christmas
2007-12-29 02:51:23 · answer #7 · answered by irisheyes 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Considering that "X" is a greek abbreviation, why merge greek with english? If you say Merry Chirstmas in english, why not leave it all in english, if in greek, then say the entire phrase in greek. Why combine them? We don't say Merry Navidad or Feliz Christmas do we?
2007-12-29 03:59:02 · answer #8 · answered by bizoppsguy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the "X" actually stands for Christ...I just can't remember if it is Hebrew or Greek or what....
The "X"is also a Christian symbol for the cross...
2007-12-29 02:45:31 · answer #9 · answered by lil_sister58 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
X became an abbreviation for christ, because of the fact he became crucified on a go. it became generally used as an abbreviation for christmas in the direction of close to modern-day historic previous. it is likewise okay to abbreviate it, becuase X is a holy image.
2016-10-02 13:02:12 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋