Sometimes you see people get all excited about something that is really not what they think it is about. Sometimes people put a lot of negative energy into things and it is not worth it at all. In my opinion that is the case with Xmas and let me explain why I say this. We have all heard that when people write Xmas instead of Christmas that they are trying to take Christ out of Christmas. Now do not get me wrong – I do see that in society that people are trying to remove Christ from Christmas but I do not see Xmas as the main way people are trying to do it.
Let me explain why I do not see Xmas as a major part of this removal. In Greek, the word for Christ is Christos. The Ch in Christos is represented by one letter in Greek and that is letter X. So when someone writes Xmas they are not taking out Christ because He is still there as represented by the X. X has been a way that Christ has been represented for centuries and it is not a disrespectful thing at all. As a matter of fact, early Christians would use the X as a way to identify other Christians.
Let me explain my thoughts just a bit more here. I do believe that some people are too lazy and just put an X instead of writing out Christ. I believe that others do intentionally put X to take Christ out of the word Christmas. The truth be told many people just do it because others do it and in reality they just do not understand the meaning behind it. So with all this I do not see the X taking Christ out of Christmas as much as I see some other things as much more intentional in trying to take Christ out of Christmas. I see the manger scenes being banned as a way of taking Christ out of Christmas. I see saying happy holidays or seasons greeting instead of Merry Christmas as taking Christ out of Christmas. I see making Christmas more about Santa Clause than Christ as taking Christ out of Christmas. These I believe are all things that are chipping big pieces away from Christ being in Christmas.
Now I believe that we should avoid writing Xmas because too many people do understand the real meaning behind it and it is offensive to them but we can use this information (In Greek, the word for Christ is Christos. The Ch in Christos is represented by one letter in Greek and that is letter X) to correct people’s misconception of Xmas. So I do not see Xmas as much of the enemy as I see the other things that I listed as those things we need to guard ourselves against.
This year, let us make sure that we are doing what we can to encourage others with the Christ of Christmas and the Christ in Christmas.
What are your thoughts?
Hope you hear the Hallelujah chorus in the background Jim. I tire of the little battles Christians want to fight (Like this one) when so many more serious battles exist. Xmas does not bother me nearly as much as the “legislation” about carols, etc. but that is another story for another time. :0 Good thoughts here Jim.
I forgot the not being able to sing Christmas Carols as taking Christ out of Christmas. Thanks Bill.
Sorry I have not commented on the comments here on the blog for a few days – been one of those busy pastor last 7 days or so.
Okay, so I had a hard time with this one at first because of my preconceived notions. But you have swayed me and now I’m gonna go look into it further myself so I can better explain it too.
Jim you’ve really been on my heart the last few days. Know you are prayed for my friend.
Check it out Michael – there are bigger battles than Xmas I believe as I mentioned.
Thanks for the prayers – We need them with all that is going on with our home.
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I totally agree with what you say. I’ve put a link to this post in my blog as well.
Thanks Shelley for reading and for the link from your blog! Much Appreciated!
Good thoughts here Jim. I always wondered where the X came from. I was never sure.
Glad I could help point that out to you Tony.
This is the first year I’ve heard this particular debate. I’ve written it like that for years as shorthand. I write xtian all the time too, for “christian.” Maybe we’re making an issue where there is none. We should be baking cookies for our neighbors instead
I see it as we should be baking cookies for out neighbors too
Thanks Mo.
Being bluntly frank about my opinion here… None of it matters if we do not have Christ in our lives.
Christmas…Xmas…Happy Holidays…Ho! Ho! Ho!… etc… None of these words are life changing. They are just powerless words.
Just my 2 cents.
Agree with you Dusty – it truly is about Christ in our lives. I might even think that was 3 cents today
I agree, Jim. Sometimes I think people in general are looking for too many ways to be offended.
Though I do like how Bronner’s, the world’s largest “Xmas” store in Frankenmuth, MI spells it: CHRISTmas!