[Dallas59]

The “-mas” part on the end of Christmas and Xmas comes from the Old English word for “mass”.

Other classic common abbreviations for “Christ” were: “Xp” and “Xt”, again both an abbreviated form of the Greek for Christ.

The Greek letters “X” (Chi) and “p” (Rho) superimposed together was once a very common symbol signifying Christ and was called, somewhat unimaginatively, the Chi-Rho.

The Chi-Rho was also used by scribes in a non-religious sense to mark some passage that was particularly good, with it literally implying “good”.

In 1977, the Governor of New Hampshire issued a press release stating that journalists should cease taking the “Christ” out of “Christmas” as “Xmas” was a pagan spelling of Christmas. Perhaps he should have run that press release by a religious scholar before issuing it. 🙂

Although, even those well versed and respected in Christianity often make the same mistake, such as Franklin Graham in an interview on CNN: “For us as Christians, this is one of the most holy of the holidays, the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. And for people to take Christ out of Christmas. They’re happy to say merry Xmas. Let’s just take Jesus out. And really, I think, a war against the name of Jesus Christ.”

[stars & stripes forever]

[They’re happy to say merry Xmas. Let’s just take Jesus out. And really, I think, a war against the name of Jesus Christ.”]

Those who define the language define the culture.

[chajin]

Malcolm, the reason for the Xmas season (/jk)

[right way right]

Interesting bump.

[AzNASCARfan]

Thanks for pointing out the origination, but definitions of words have changed in my lifetime. I would highly doubt that would be the reason for many people using it that way today... According to your post, what I was taught was wrong, which is good to know, but, since God is the reason for the season and I am writing in English and I will just keep the Christ in Christmas...

[sagar]

Is it already the time for war against Christmas?

[cloudmountain]

I had forgotten that.
Thanks for the reminder.

[mwilli20]

Wow, and here I thought xing meant crossing, it turns out it means Christing!

[x]

Historically that's correct.

But in today's world, the other side is right about what's going on.

[zeugma]

I’m fully aware of the history of the spelling of Christ, but nonetheless prefer to keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas.