Posted on 12/24/2008 11:14:50 AM PST by SeekAndFind
So if there is no war on Christmas, why do we call it Xmas or happy holidays? Why does the ACLU try to tear down holiday displays like nativities and menorahs?
“Xmas” is not originally an attempt to exclude Christ from Christmas, but uses an abbreviation of the Greek spelling of the word “Christ” with the “X” representing the Greek letter chi. However, so few people know this that it is probably better not to use this popular abbreviation in religious contexts.
Pinkham: Is this what the holidays have come to?
Medford Transcript
“Too bad the [liberal] war doesn’t exist.
Yeah,yeah, yeah, and once again, I weigh what’s printed on my driving license.
denial ain’t a river.
The Birch example is a perfect portrait of how the Left can take what some extremist says and use it to cover their efforts. Yes, the Birch stuff was kooky, but that shouldn’t excuse the fact that too often stores or people try too hard to not offend and end up offending even more.
It is perfectly fine to wish someone a Merry Christmas if that is the holiday they are celebrating. If you see someone wearing a yarmulke, it is perfectly fine to wish him a Happy Hannukah. The generic “Happy Holidays” takes the meaning out of the occasion if used inappropriately.
I’d like to further add that phrases like “Holiday Tree” are in and of themselves offensive because they’re nothing but uber-PC garbage gone amok.
I'm curious to know how Jerry Falwell made this announcement from his grave.
It seems the author wishes to relieve himself on our legs and then tell us is is raining.
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Fine work SeeknFind! I love it when facts are presented. Merry Xmas!
From http://www.cresourcei.org/symbols/xmasorigin.html:
Abbreviations used as Christian symbols have a long history in the church. The letters of the word “Christ” in Greek, the language in which the New Testament was written, or various titles for Jesus early became symbols of Christ and Christianity. For example, the first two letters of the word Christ ... are the Greek letters chi (c or C) and rho (r or R). These letters were used in the early church to create the chi-rho monogram, a symbol that by the fourth century became part of the official battle standard of the emperor Constantine.
Another example is the symbol of the fish, one of the earliest symbols of Christians that has been found scratched on the walls of the catacombs of Rome. It likely originated from using the first letter of several titles of Jesus (Jesus Christ Son of God Savior). When combined these initial letters together spelled the Greek word for fish (ichthus).
The exact origin of the single letter X for Christ cannot be pinpointed with certainty. Some claim that it began in the first century AD along with the other symbols, but evidence is lacking. Others think that it came into widespread use by the thirteenth century along with many other abbreviations and symbols for Christianity and various Christian ideas that were popular in the Middle Ages. However, again, the evidence is sparse.
In any case, by the fifteenth century Xmas emerged as a widely used symbol for Christmas. In 1436 Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press with moveable type. In the early days of printing typesetting was done by hand and was very tedious and expensive. As a result, abbreviations were common. In religious publications, the church began to use the abbreviation C for the word “Christ” to cut down on the cost of the books and pamphlets. From there, the abbreviation moved into general use in newspapers and other publications, and “Xmas” became an accepted way of printing “Christmas” (along with the abbreviations Xian and Xianity). Even Webster’s dictionary acknowledges that the abbreviation Xmas was in common use by the middle of the sixteenth century.
So there is no grand scheme to dilute Christianity by promoting the use of Xmas instead of Christmas. It is not a modern invention to try to convert Christmas into a secular day, nor is it a device to promote the commercialism of the holiday season. Its origin is thoroughly rooted in the heritage of the Church. It is simply another way to say Christmas, drawing on a long history of symbolic abbreviations used in the church. In fact, as with other abbreviations used in common speech or writing (such as Mr. or etc.), the abbreviation “Xmas” should be pronounced “Christmas” just as if the word were written out in full, rather than saying “exmas.” Understanding this use of Christian symbolism might help us modern day Xians focus on more important issues of the Faith during Advent, and bring a little more Peace to the Xmas Season.
I'm curious to know how Jerry Falwell made this announcement from his grave.
Ah, never mind. The story is from 2005.
Heard a rumor that Special Forces volunteer Tillman was killed by “friendly fire” because he was an atheist. Any info on that rumor?
Merry Xmas!
The amusing irony is that the downturn in the economy has stripped many of the secular trappings from Christmas, and made it a much more honest, thoughtful, and special holiday this year.
Instead of buying each other expensive and disposable baubles, families are enjoying a good meal in each others’ company. Instead of making gaudy displays, they are sharing a sense of peace and making memories of togetherness.
Which isn’t that bad an idea, after all.
Tillman wasn’t in Special Forces. He was a Ranger.
Hurly
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