Xmas

     I'm sure we have all heard the anger and hostility by Christians regarding the use of Xmas.  Is the use of "Xmas" a way to leave Christ out of Christmas?  It appears that in today's culture it is usually taken that way, and generally viewed as a quick way to remove Christ.  I had to do a little research, curious where the whole Xmas thing started. So where did it come from?  Whew... interesting stuff here!

 The Greek word Christ is written  ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ .  Notice that if you place the first two letters, ΧΡ, and overlay them, you have a symbol, the Chi-Rho. ΧΡ, Chi Rho gained widespread popularity and found much use by the Christians after it was adopted by the  Roman military commander, Emperor Constantine I as a military banner. Constantine said the symbol appeared to him in a dream before the Battle of the Milivian Bridge in 312 A.D. He put this Christian symbol on his soldiers’ shields. His army won the battle, Constantine legalized the religion of Christianity across the Roman Empire, and the Chi-Rho has continued to be widely used in Christian art and literature since that time.  The symbol XP (Chi-Rho) has been in common use by Christians for about 1700 years now. 

     Chi, X,meaning Christ, as an abbreviation, really came into common usage in the 13th century, especially with the advent of the printing press. Since the printing press required each letter to be set by hand, abbreviations were very common.  So Christianity, Christian, Christmas became Xianity, Xian, and Xmas.  As a matter of fact, the name Christina was very commonly written as Xtina. The X part of the words were pronounced as Christ...not X.    In many manuscripts of the New Testament, X abbreviates Christos (Xristos). In ancient Christian art X and XP abbreviate his name. This practice entered the Old English language as early as AD 100. Even Wycliff used X as an abbreviation for Christ.
    With this history in mind, originally Xmas was in No way an attempt to Remove Christ.  It was the most Common practice of abbreviating the name of Christ.  In fact, the symbolism was a way of honoring of Christ, as the symbol was in reference to the original language of His name.  
     So, how does that fit in today?  I personally wouldn't use the term Xmas simply because the modern connotations of the term.  Christians and non-Christians alike are unaware of the history, and it is commonly perceived as a removal of Christ.  I don't want to support that misconception.  
     Once again, we have allowed the secular world to steal one of the wonderful symbols of our faith.  It once made a statement to wear a cross, but gang members and rappers have giant gold crosses hanging around their necks while they spout the most horrifying garbage. Rainbows, a promise from God, now symbolizes homosexuality.  The shamrock, used by St. Patrick as a way to explain the Trinity, has become a symbol of the Irish. Angels and butterflies have both been symbols of Christianity, but not anymore. Our Christian symbols have been appropriated by rappers, pagans, other religions, and the LGBT community. I wonder if it is even possible to reclaim our Christian symbols? 
   I find it ironic that someone using the term Xmas thinks they are removing Christ and yet they are actually using an ancient symbol of Christ.  The Intended Insult, removing Christ, really Isn't an insult but a return to our Christian symbolic roots!!  Knowing the facts and the rich history behind the X, makes me wish we could recover the original symbolism, but it's not likely I suppose.  
     So when I see someone using the X, I am pretty Likely to go ahead and explain it to them!!!  But I won't be using the controversial X except within a group that understands the the history!

Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 2:29pm