Ok, here's another big misunderstanding by some Christians (is there no end to them?). Christians incorrectly believe that Xmas is taking the Christ out of Christmas. Their implication is that some anti-Christians must have started this to further secularize Christmas. THE TRUTH: Do any research on this, and this is what you'll quickly & easily find: "This abbreviation for Christmas is of Greek origin. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. (pronounced "Kris'-tose") During the 16th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ's name, "X" in place of the word Christ in Christmas as a shorthand form of the word. Early Christians understood that X stood for Christ's name, only later Christians who did not understand the Greek language mistook 'Xmas' as a sign of disrespect." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ my editorial: This a great example of how uninformed Christians are making a big stink about a "Christian vs. non Christian" deal, when in fact, there's no non-Christian force pushing this. Once again this misinformed belief plays Christians as group that is seemingly always up in arms about something. In fact, we should only be up in arms that we are falsely up in arms about this picayune issue. When I see Xmas on a sign I don't think a business owner is trying to make a negative statement about Christ or Christmas; I only think that he/she doesn't have enough room on their sign or is too lazy to bust out more letters. We could be happy & uplifted that a business thinks enough of the holiday to put it on its sign. Total conjecture on my part here: I have to wonder if this belief about Xmas comes out of Christians associating the innocent letter "X" with "x x x" as meaning "x-rated." If that's the case, let's loosen up a lot and realize there are no bad letters out there. And lastly, if we're the type of person to drive by a Merry Xmas sign and get angered or annoyed, do we simply drive by and get worked up? Or do we have the presence of mind to pray for the person or people behind the sign?--That they would find Christ if they haven't yet. Or pray for ourselves--that we would love the people who put up the sign in the same way that Christ always loved and loves misguided people. People like me. People like you. I pray His peace to you & yours this holiday. Merry Xmas, or Merry Christmas... *** update *** My friend, Jeremy and I have ranted together about this subject over the years and he joking coined the phrase "Merry F i s h m a s" bringing in the "Jesus fish" tie. Being a great graphics guy, he put this little gem together. Hysterical! : |
the truth about Xmas |
