Christmas vs Xmas

This used to bother me also, until I found out it is actually an historical way to symbolize Christ.

I was always taught that xmas was x-ing Christ out of Christmas. Making it a completely secular, presents are the only thing that matters, type of holiday rather than a religous one. After reading some of these responses, I can see that differantly now. I didn't know that could be seen as a symbol OF Christ not a symbol of the lack of Christ. That's one of the things I like about this site. You get insights you might not have ever thought of or known about.

that's a pretty silly thing to get so worked up about...they're not taking the "Christ" out of Christmas, it's just a shorthand way of writing it. And as others have said, the X is actually a symbol for Christ. Saying "xmas" out loud is pretty dumb, but writing it isn't a big deal at all.

QueenoftheCastle is right. It's a derivation of the symbol for Christ. Here is a picture of a few different ways it can be seen:

http://christianity.about.com/od/symbolspictures/ig/Chris...

It's just a shorthand. Now SAYING "Xmas" seems silly to me, but in writing, it's just shorthand.

Doesn't bother me at all... not only because it's misinformed but because there are more important things to get worked up over.

A lot of Christians say ‘Keep the Christ in Christmas,’ but they don't realize that the letter P with an X through is actually the ancient symbol for Christ.

Greeks used X as the symbol for Chi, Christo or Xristo. X is the Greek symbol for Christ. In early Christian times, X was used as the symbol for Christ himself.

Quote from the following site:

http://www.crivoice.org/symbols/xmasorigin.html

"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."

There is no theological problem with abbreviating Christmas to X-Mas. The Greek way of writing "Christ" is to use a P with an X through it. It is called the Chi-Rho.

The early Christians often identified themselves with just the PX symbol. I will post a resource once I find a reliable one.

ETA: I don't normally use Wikipedia as a source, but it is reliable in this instance http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xmas

and http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4097755.stm

I'm a Sunday School teacher and have been an active Christian for over 25 years, and honestly, it doesn't bother me when people use "Xmas" or say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". It *does* trouble me when people see an offense whether or not one was intended - whether it be a Christian who thinks saying "Happy Holidays" is part of a secular liberal plot to remove "Christ" from everything or an atheist who thinks saying "Merry Christmas" is another slap in the face from organized religion (I'm not denying that offenses have ever occurred - I just don't think they happen quite as often as people perceive that they have). I understand that what I'm saying might irk believer and atheist alike, but I just don't think those kinds of battles are the most productive use of our time. I'd rather spend a December day doing a coat or canned food drive with a bunch of civic-minded people regardless of religious affiliation or lack thereof, than spend that same amount of time stewing over some corporate plot to de-Christianize Christmas. IMO whether or not the calendars or store windows acknowledge Christ does not in any way diminish Christ's significance to those who know Him - I don't think He's up there in heaven feeling hurt and insecure over what's happened to the word "Christmas" (I think He *might* be a bit bothered by how it's become so consumerist/materialistic but that's a topic for another thread LOL)
OK, off my soap box for now ;-)

ACTUALLY... the practice is several hundred years old, and was started by the church , and is canonically okayed/verified/sanctioned/and *encouraged*.

I believe (I'll have to go look it up) that the catholic church officially sanctioned the practice in the 1500's (although it dates all the way back to Emperor Constantine)

i cant believe so many people get so hung up on something so trivial. if you dont like it, dont do it.

I use Xmas, with the same capital X as I would use typing Christmas... because I use Xmas with X being the symbol for "Christ" as pointed out by a few posters... Even if I'm typing or reading Xmas, I read it or say it as Christmas... it's just a shortened way of writing Christmas, but means the same thing... not taking Christ out of Christmas, because in the case of Xmas, the X is Christ.

I use "Xmas" when I am making shortcuts. I am not offended at all. I say "Christmas" when I see "Xmas." I only TYPE Xmas. It's a shortcut same as LOL, IMO, MIL, and so forth.

I don't like seeing "Xmas" either, it's sort of my pet peeve too... To me it's leaving "CHRIST" out of Christmas.

I agree with Toni, I do not think it is nice to have a pet peeve and then shove it down somebodies throat.

It just looks like bullying to send such a curt message to someone in public .. Just not the type of "Christian" behavior one expects from someone so concerned about Christ.

I am totally with you- I ALWAYS write Christmas, never Xmas. I never say "Happy Holidays", I say "Merry Christmas". If people are offended, too freakin' bad. I'm actually offended that I am supposed to shy away from my faith. I am Christian and I celebrate the birth of Christ at CHRISTmas.
My kids go to public school (wish we could afford private, Christian school) and they have gone SO overboard with being PC. We can't celebrate Halloween- they have a Fall party. We can't celebrate Thanksgiving- they have a "long ago" party. We most certainly cannot celebrate Christmas- its a winter celebration....gag me. Our society is so concerned with offending anyone who is NOT Christian, that Christians are the ones who are being persecuted. At my stepson's winter party one year, they taught about all the celebrations that different religions have in the winter (I am totally fine with this). To represent Christians and Christmas, they used a gift box and told the kids that Christmas is about giving. NO, it is not!! It is to celebrate Christ's birth! I would almost rather that they not even discuss Christmas than to misrepresent it the way they do! No one seems to care that that offends me, so I personally, don't give a rat's behind if I offend someone when I say Merry Christmas! You don't like it? Then cover your ears!

We are Christians, and we celebrate Christmas.

It doesn't bother me what other people do.
I would imagine if you're not a Christian, it would be hard to escape the holiday's hype--no matter what it's called.

I grew up strict Catholic, and while I don't practice it now, 'xmas' drives me freaking bonkers. It's CHRISTmas ;)

I celebrate Christmas, not Xmas. I wonder exactly what xmas and happy holidays celebrating?

It's sad that stores are not mentioning Christmas or greeting you with Merry Christmas. Walmart's "Chirstmas" decorations don't mention Christmas but they sure like Christmas shopping!

A few Texas and locally owned stores have continued playing Christmas music, decorating for Christmas and greeting you with Merry Christmas. This year I plan on doing more of my shopping with them.

As you can tell it is a pet peeve of mine too! It is a problem!

As always I will be saying Merry Christmas over Happy Holidays! I don't mean to offend but I am entitled to my beliefs and much as you are entitled to yours.

I hate it when people write out X-mas. It's Christmas! It's only 5 extra letters to type!
L.

I think people say X-mas, for the same reason they use 2, u, and other abbreviations. Which, happen to also be a pet peeve of mine. I'm with ya.

I see it as an abbreviation, nothing more, and nothing meant to be offensive.

.

Nope. Doesn't annoy me at all. I don't SAY X-Mas--I SAY CHRIST-mas. I always abbreviate the spelling of things. Especially on Christmas decorations. Writing with marker on the side of a cardboard box is awkward--gotta bend the wrist weird and markers don't write good on them. So the fewer letters the better. Kind of like I put tranx down instead of transfer. Not sure where people get the x as a substitute for the sfer, but it's pretty universal. Just like xmas. JMO.

I think you and Kim should have a private conversation/exchange.

I LOVE what Christmas represents....I take great pride in my faith & have the most respect for this hoiday......however when i get an opportunity to sit down, grab a cup of tea, and get on the laptop, most times i am just too damn lazy to spell everything out, use proper punctuation, capitalize properly etc......

thanks for showing your passion, especially about this topic....there are too many people in this world that are trying to take this special day away from us, so it's nice to see someone else is as passionate about preserving this special day. God Bless

Yikes. Sorry that the passionate Mamas jumped all over you for this. :( This is usually a very good group in that they are understanding, responsive and full of good information. I'm sorry that this turned into such a debate.

I am curious though. Does this bother you because you feel like people are taking Christ out of Christmas or because the idea that it's a short-cut that bothers you and grammatically, it doesn't sound/ flow right?

I don't like the Xmas either ~ it's taking "Christ" out of Christmas! That's what my Mom has always told me growing up and it stuck :) I don't use the X, but what other people choose to do is up to them and doesn't bother me.

Ditto Riley, Sarah, and Lillian. :)

I'm with Abby, Queen, Lillian and Riley about this non-issue. Sorry if I missed anyone!

Glad you learned something.

Lol... I use both spellings for a reason.... My family is orthodox, for us christmas doesnt happen until Jan 7th.... So I use Xmas for the holdiay on Dec 25, & Christmas for the holiday on Jan 7!
But I do also get lazy sometimes and just use xmas for both

I prefer Christmas. But to be honest, I never see Xmas. Like....ever.

I prefer Merry Christmas. What I miss during the Holidays is people wishing each other Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, etc. Just the joy of the season. Less commericalism and more Peace on Earth.

I wish you all the best with this upcoming Holiday season.

Take care
J.

The problem is whether you celebrate Xmas or Christmas. It's a pet peeve because they are different. We don't celebrate Christmas. We are not Christian. There is no natitivity scene at our house. Or discussion about the birth or anything else related to Christ. We do however put up a Xmas tree. decorate it. Spend Xmas eve sitting around our pretend fire (hopefully one day we will have a real fire place with a yule log). We drink egg nog, eat cookies sing songs and tell stories. In the morning we open presents and enjoy watching the kids play with them. We have a big meal that my mom comes over for. Then we sit down and watch a movie together or go to the movies. Times have been tight lately so the last couple of years we have watched a movie at home.

Christ is not the reason for the season in our house. Remembering how important family is and how blessed we are to have each other is what we celebrate. So we celebrate Xmas and not Christmas.

When people say Merry Christmas I say Merry Xmas and don't worry about how they spell it in their head or if they don't like how I'm spelling it on paper.

I much prefer Christmas. I understand the origins of Xmas, but I do not believe that most people where I live do. When I read the word, in my mind I always pronounce it Exmas. I also agree with Elaine C in that if your faith is strong, nothing external should be able to rattle you in regards to your practices. But yes, that's another thread.

I don't find either one offensive. Not sure what the problem is.

Lee is exactly right - the X (Greek letter Chi) was traditionally used when referring to Christ or Christians, so looking at it that way, it becomes less offensive to me, even though I know it's probably not the intent of most people using it. I'd rather not be totally jaded towards others at that time of the year. =)

I don't have a problem w/saying Merry Christmas, but it occurred to me that I don't say it nearly as much as I did growing up. Kinda sad, but it's because I work in a very diverse district and it's the reality that many celebrate other things at that time - it's a festive time all around, so it definitely feels more right to acknowledge that by using a more all-inclusive phrase i.e. happy holidays, etc.

I use "Christmas" when typing about the religious holiday, and I usually type it out, but if it's a completely secular conversation/issue, I might type Xmas.

No, it doesn't bother me either way but I know it is actually offensive to some people. A few years ago my FIL saw that I had written xmas, instead of Christmas, on a box of decorations and he had a fit saying I was taking 'Christ' out of Christmas. He was a little harsh and went a bit overboard about it especially since it was not intentional on my part. I had never really thought about it before but since hearing that I always just write / type / say Christmas.