The most important part of the word CHRISTmas is CHRIST. However, the common trend is to take the CHRIST out of CHRISTMAS everywhere I turn. Even verbally! “Happy Holidays” No, how about, “Merry CHRISTmas!” Okay, I'm sure you've figured out by now that seeing "XMAS" on billboards, restaurant signage, ads or any other place thoroughly irritates me. My initial reaction is, "I can't believe that CHRIST has been taken out of CHRISTmas!" Oh...I know what some of you scholarly theologian types are thinking, “Well, John, the "X" is actually a Greek abbreviation. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. 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. Although the early Christians understood that X stood for Christ's name, later Christians (like you, John) who did not understand the Greek language mistook "Xmas" as a sign of disrespect." Blah! Blah! Blah! Look, there are many that are attempting to take God (CHRIST is God in the flesh) out of every component of our society. And considering that our society was founded on Christianity, I don’t really want to passively roll over on another item. “But, John, what if there wasn’t enough room for CHRIST on the document/billboard?” Not my problem. You’d better make room. Wait, I could do a whole sermon on this! “No room for Christ on the flyer, no room in the inn. No room for Christ on the billboard, no room in my life.” I encourage you not abbreviate CHRISTmas this year or ever again. Take a few moments to write out the most important part of CHRISTmas…CHRIST. Let’s keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas! One more thing…try verbally emphasizing the “CHRIST” in CHRISTmas. For example, when you tell someone, “Merry CHRISTmas”, say it with a long “I” sound. This places the emphasis on CHRIST and may be an open door to sharing your faith with someone.
Monday, December 04, 2006
"XMAS" - Who put the "X" in CHRISTmas?
The most important part of the word CHRISTmas is CHRIST. However, the common trend is to take the CHRIST out of CHRISTMAS everywhere I turn. Even verbally! “Happy Holidays” No, how about, “Merry CHRISTmas!” Okay, I'm sure you've figured out by now that seeing "XMAS" on billboards, restaurant signage, ads or any other place thoroughly irritates me. My initial reaction is, "I can't believe that CHRIST has been taken out of CHRISTmas!" Oh...I know what some of you scholarly theologian types are thinking, “Well, John, the "X" is actually a Greek abbreviation. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. 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. Although the early Christians understood that X stood for Christ's name, later Christians (like you, John) who did not understand the Greek language mistook "Xmas" as a sign of disrespect." Blah! Blah! Blah! Look, there are many that are attempting to take God (CHRIST is God in the flesh) out of every component of our society. And considering that our society was founded on Christianity, I don’t really want to passively roll over on another item. “But, John, what if there wasn’t enough room for CHRIST on the document/billboard?” Not my problem. You’d better make room. Wait, I could do a whole sermon on this! “No room for Christ on the flyer, no room in the inn. No room for Christ on the billboard, no room in my life.” I encourage you not abbreviate CHRISTmas this year or ever again. Take a few moments to write out the most important part of CHRISTmas…CHRIST. Let’s keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas! One more thing…try verbally emphasizing the “CHRIST” in CHRISTmas. For example, when you tell someone, “Merry CHRISTmas”, say it with a long “I” sound. This places the emphasis on CHRIST and may be an open door to sharing your faith with someone.
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