People often assume that the term “Xmas” is an attempt to take “Christ” out of Christmas. But did you know that:
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The term Xmas dates all the way back to the Middle Ages.
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X is an abbreviation for Christ (it’s the first letter of Christos, Χριστός in the Greek).
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X is a traditional symbol of the cross.
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By using Xmas instead of Christmas, theologians were reminding us not just that God’s son came to earth, but why.
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Hence the term reviled by so many for taking Christ out of Christmas was originally intended to keep him in it!
This is a great informative post. I can’t wait to use this info in a conversation today and act like I knew this all along haha Thank you for this, very cool and I’m sure there are tons of people who did not know this. Happy “X”mas
Thanks, Joseph. ;>) You too!
I did not know this! It makes complete sense when you stop to think about the origin of the “x” symbol – so, thank you for sharing!
It’s a relief, isn’t it? Also, I believe St. Andrew was crucified on an “x” type cross.
Yes, that’s what they say.
Ha! X-men,I love it. 🙂
Mitch, so badly I want to say it’s all Greek to me! Buts it’s also great. Xmen haha 😉
;>)
Yes! I have often shared this as well. Good, good, good.
When I found out about the symbolism of the “X” I started spelling the secular holiday as Chri$mas! 🙂
You have a point!
Mitch, you are awesome! This was a discussion between my son in love and myself this past week. I cannot wait to share this with him. Merry X-mas!
Well I never knew that Mitch! Really interesting facts. Thanks for educating me today 🙏🏻😊
Shared with my Soul Friends … I rather think our Vicar is an Xman. Xtraordinary patient at any rate.
Aha, so he does have a superpower!
I thought everyone knew that. I guess it shows my age. I still use the abbreviation.
Xmen… love it! And God’s superpowers? Infinite. 🙂
Xmen! Made me chuckle. Reposted this on my Facebook page.
Thank you for the education and Merry Xmas!
You too, Yamina!
Again I learn!
I’m reblogging this in two locations. I’m guessing there are many who are not aware of the significance of X (though I will admit, I still flinch when I type Xmas. Thank you again for new perspectives.
I am doubly honored, Sarah.
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Very cool fun fact. 🙂
Mitch, I have heard that, but it does not seem reasonable to me to put it into practice since most people think it is leaving Christ out of Christmas. It is my responsibility to use words that communicate what I want my readers to hear. I don’t choose to send a documented essay with my Christmas cards. So I just say Merry Christmas rather than Merry Xmas (with required documentation). 😀
I agree, Oneta. Using “Xmas” is a fun way of referencing the meaning of Christmas, but only if there is an opportunity to talk about the term.
I had no idea. Thanks for sharing this. I will still use Christmas though.
Me too.
Me either. I had allows assumed that the x abbreviation was just a shortening with no meaning behind it. Fun to know.
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I had no idea about the “Xmas” thing. Thanks for enlightening us!
For years I would write “cross”-mas instead of an X, feeling something like what Oneta shared, that many people wouldn’t know Jesus is the original X man. However, thank you for the inspiring new conversation starter, Mitch. Merry Xmas to you and yours!
U 2, Roo!
There’s always the rrrrrrrrrrest of the story. Nice.
One of my friends who is new to blogging (Detective Gluck here on wordpress) talks about the X as well. I’ll have to share this with him! 🙂 Have yourself a merry little Xmas, Mitch.
You too, Heather!
My father was a minister, and he used to think it was so ridiculous when people got upset about shortening Christmas to Xmas, for exactly the reasons you stated. I think it is always wise to research something before we react to it. Xmas isn’t taking Christ out of anything… Thanks for this post!
Dad knew his stuff! Thanks, Ann.
Thanks for the insight. Merry Christmas!
Jan
You too!
I feel so much better about the abbreviation now that I know that it has meaning, a truly good meaning behind it.
I had no idea about the X in xmas or even how it came about! You learn something new everyday
Reblogged this on Resigning as the General Manager of the Universe and commented:
love this!
Honored.
How INTERESTING. Hitherto I loathed “Xmas” as a term. But what you write rings a bell. As for Xmen, indeed, there is a group of us men who used to meet in a Bible Study I used to lead and we call ourselves the ex, it X-men. Nice!
Thanks, Bill!
Well done, well done!
Thank you, thank you! ;>)
Wow! I never knew that Mitch. I am one of the people who has always avoided using ‘Xmas’ in favor of Christmas. No more. Thank you. It is New Year’s Eve here in New Zealand, so let me wish you a Happy New Year, peace, good health and much joy.
Thank you, Sandy, and all the same to you!
As so many, I had no idea this was the case.
What a great informative post!
Thanks for this valuable information.
Happy New Year.
Seek peace,
Paz
Merry Christmas!
And a (belated) Merry to you, J!
Thanks you! Christmas doesn’t end until the 5th of January, so you’re not belated. Today is the 10th day of Christmas. I’m waiting for my lords a leaping!
True. And, for that matter, Armenian Christmas isn’t until Friday, so you still have two days to go, assuming you’re feeling Armenian.
Very insightful post on Christmas. Thank you.
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