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Xmas

PouringRain

PouringRain

Member
Do you find the word offensive?

I was curious at how many do, since pjt has adamantly brought up his distaste for it in another thread. Do you feel it is "X-ing" Christ out of Christmas?

Or are you not opposed to it?

Maybe you are not opposed, because you feel that Christ can not be "X-ed" out. Or maybe you are not opposed, because you subscribe to the belief that the greek letter chi "X" was used by the church early on to denote Christ's name.

What say ye?
 
I hate it. I hate even more when so-called Christians use it, as it reveals a real lack of sensitivity to Him and His Lordship. Its use is more of a barometer of the spiritual climate of a person, IMHO.
 
I don't like it. Despite the Greek letter, most people today do not know of such. As it is, Christ is being systematically taken out of Christmas. The least we could do is write out His full name for His birthday.
 
PouringRain said:
TBH I find it this statement quite sad. :shame
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Why is that?

Luke 6:45 NLT
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
 
well as a person who desires to no longer celebrate christmas i doenst bother me as its not really a christian holiday.
 
PouringRain said:
...Maybe you are not opposed, because you feel that Christ can not be "X-ed" out. Or maybe you are not opposed, because you subscribe to the belief that the greek letter chi "X" was used by the church early on to denote Christ's name...
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As one of the three that questioned Live Free's use of the term in the other thread (which I noticed Live Free refused to respond to, even though it was one of the reasons a mod had to close the thread..), I have to admit I didn't think of it this way. Thanks for the food for thought.

However, I still don't know if I'm convinced it's OK to use it in the English language. While it is common to use X to denote some type of removal in English, it is not normally accepted practice to substitute Greek symbols for English words. Allso, it hasn't been accepted practice among Christians I've known to use X in place of the word Christ in words such as Christian or Christmas. In fact, this was the only time I have ever seen Christian written as Xtian! So, at least on first thoughts, I don't think this makes it acceptable. Had this been the motivation behind Live Free's use of the X in his post, I wish he would have explained that. To me, his silence says this was not that case. I could be wrong, and it's just my opinion, but until he explains himself it still seems to me to come across as an insult to Christians on this site.
 
It doesn't bother me at all. I too used to take the stand that it was offensive, until I learned otherwise several years ago.

Check this out:

What I’m about to tell you is news to me as well. I have always found it offensive when someone would send me a Christmas card with the words, “Merry Xmas.†Why? Because I’ve always felt that when someone did that, it was somewhat of an effort on their part to remove “Christ†from the picture. You know, “The war on Christmas,†stuff.

History of the word “Xmasâ€

Well, what a surprise I got. Lexically speaking, Christ is, and always has been in Xmas. “X†is the Greek letter “Chi†and the first letter in the word “Cristos,†which means Christ. Xmas did not show up in English until the 1500’s, but the letter “X†meaning Christ has been in use for 1000 years! Alright, but why the abbreviation? Let’s remember that the use of “X†pre-dates the printing press when books were hand written, written on hard to find materials, and very expensive.

It’s a no brainer, use “X†to save space, time and money. But although we know it isn’t offensive to use “Merry Xmas,†do be aware that some still find it so, so use good judgment when wishing someone a Merry “Xmas.†But at least you now know it isn’t disrespectful if you get a card with “Xmas,†and you won’t let it ruin your Christmas. Leave that up to the Scrooges behind the cash registers. Merry Xmas all!
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History o the word “Xmas†- History of Words - Christmas Xmas - History Confidential
 
Economical use of printing?

Santa Claus uses 12 spaces. Christmas uses 9.

hmmm.gif
 
Alabaster said:
Why is that?

Luke 6:45 NLT
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
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It is the act of judging the spirituality of a fellow Christian based upon a personal bias that I find sad. If someone chooses to use X to denote the name of Christ, with no malice nor ill intent in his heart, then to call that "evil" and make an assumption about his walk with God is quite sad.

I can understand what Igor wrote about how he felt about the intent behind an atheist using the X. If I saw a Christian using it, I would not jump to the same assumption regarding intent.
 
PouringRain said:
It is the act of judging the spirituality of a fellow Christian based upon a personal bias that I find sad. If someone chooses to use X to denote the name of Christ, with no malice nor ill intent in his heart, then to call that "evil" and make an assumption about his walk with God is quite sad.

I can understand what Igor wrote about how he felt about the intent behind an atheist using the X. If I saw a Christian using it, I would not jump to the same assumption regarding intent.
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In conjunction with other attitudes, it is an indicator of either spiritual babyhood, or something else. I never make an issue of it, but we are to be fruit inspectors---not to hit people over the head, but to lead them in some way toward maturity in Christ...with love and gentleness.
 
This is one of the things I've done a 180 on. I used to be offended. Now, I just find it as a way to distinguish who is approaching this from the perspective of a Christian and who isn't. If we become distinguished by a simple phrase of "Merry Christmas" as opposed to "Happy Holidays" or "Xmas", that's okay by me. Christmas becomes even more separated from all the Santa and general holiday tradition. And that can be a good thing!
 
Alabaster said:
In conjunction with other attitudes, it is an indicator of either spiritual babyhood, or something else. I never make an issue of it, but we are to be fruit inspectors---not to hit people over the head, but to lead them in some way toward maturity in Christ...with love and gentleness.
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I'm sorry, I missed the part in my Bible where it lists not abbreviating names as a fruit. :)
 
Personally it doesn't bother me if somebody writes Xmas or Christmas as I've always looked at Xmas as an abbreviation for Christmas. Nothing more, nothing less.

That being said, as I get older I tend to like the look that the word "Christmas" has when spelled out in contras to Xmas when spelled out. Christmas is just easier on the eyes. Ok, I'm weird.. go figure :lol

But anyway,
If it offends a brother or Sister in Christ, then I shall not be lazy and abbreviate the word Christmas for their sake. It's the least I can do, and so easy to do as well.

Grace and Peace.

P.S. Mike, at my work it's taboo to say "Merry Christmas", but it amazes me the smiles I get when people told me, "Happy Holidays", and my reply was always, "And you have a merry Christmas too!" I don't know anyone who didn't smile back and reply with their own, "Merry Christmas!"

It's the little things that shine so bright in such a dark world.
 
It doesn't matter too much to me. I don't need a holiday to celebrate the birth of our savior, I don't equate Christ to secular events, it's not scriptural, it's not really Christ's birthday, and it promotes greed, materialism, and idolatry.
 
WIP said:
It doesn't matter too much to me. I don't need a holiday to celebrate the birth of our savior, I don't equate Christ to secular events, it's not scriptural, it's not really Christ's birthday, and it promotes greed, materialism, and idolatry.
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I whole heartidely agree.
 
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