Does “Xmas” Exclude Christ?

Every year since Jesus saved me, I have heard similar complaints during December that the term “Χmas” or “Χ-mas” simply “removes Christ” from the holiday and is an attack on Christmas and, by extension, Christianity.

But does the “Χ” in “Χmas” actually cross out Christ?

According to the Wikipedia, “Χ” has long been an abbreviation for “Christ” in Christian circles. In fact, it has been in use for at least 1,000 years, long before people were worrying about the “secularization of Christmas” and the like.

It should be pointed out that the “Χ” is not an English letter; it is not “eks,” but rather “chi,” a Greek letter. And in Greek, “Christ” is spelled, ΧÏ?ιστοÌ?Ï‚. Just as we commonly use our initials to represent ourselves, so dose Χ represent Christ. The first two letters of the title Christ, ΧÏ? (or ☧), have been called “the monogram of Christ” and have been used quite often throughout history.:”(This “monogram” is known as the Labarum.)”:

We can also see the meaning of “Χ” in the famous Ichthys fish symbol. “Ichthys” is the Greek word for fish, and in (capital) Greek letters it appears as “ΙΧΘΥΣ.” Christians have commonly used the word as an acronym for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior,” the “Χ” representing, of course, “Christ.”

Whether you are okay with abbreviating Christ’s name is probably a matter entirely of personal tastes. In your own notes, your own journals, etc., you probably have your own abbreviations for a variety of things that you would have otherwise had to write out completely. One can hardly fault efficient writing!

So when Christians think of and write of Christ so often that it actually becomes a great time saver (and during times when writing material may be scarce, a great resource saver), using “Χ” or similar to identify Christ would have definite benefits.

The problem, however, in using “Χmas” today is one of ignorance. Unbelievers may very well be using it as a way to “cross out Christ,” and Christians may well be avoiding it for the very same reason. This is one of those times when having a working knowledge of church history and our Christian heritage would be beneficial. I confess that history is not one of my strong points, but regarding those things which we are putting out there publicly, before saved and lost alike, such as “Christmas” and “Χmas,” we ought to know what we are saying.

Christians are showing their ignorance by avoiding it, and the lost are showing theirs but embracing it.

Before I close, I also want to point out that the “mas” part is not a direct pointer to the Roman Catholic’s Mass. Rather, it comes from the Anglo-Saxon and means “festival” or “religious event” or “celebration.” I have heard preachers and read authors who claim that “Christmas” means “death of Christ” and that by saying “Merry Christmas” we are making joyful His death! Good intentions are not enough, if we love Jesus and want to keep pure His worship, we must be committed to the Truth! That means we may have to toss aside those things which may very well “preach well” if they aren’t true.

My friends, if you are true to your faith and true to the words, you can wish people a “merry Christmas” year round. And for those in the know, you could even say “merry Χmas”!

And now that you are in the know, spread it! The less ignorance there is within the Church, the better off we are, so if you have read this far, please share this with at least one person, if not more, and encourage them to share it with others. The elimination of error and the promulgation of truth are sure to be pleasing to He who is the Truth. :)