Xmas vs. Christmas: What’s in a Name?

 

Christmas: A Season of Light, Joy, and Reflection

Christmas, adorned with twinkling lights, cakes and gifts, festive decorations and the sweet melody of carols holds a special place in the hearts of the people worldwide.

Christmas or X-Mas?

Christmas is also sometimes known as Xmas. Some people don't think it's correct to call Christmas 'Xmas' as that takes the 'Christ' (Jesus) out of Christmas. But that isn't right!

The letter that looks like an X is the Greek letter which is the first letter of the Greek word for Christ, Christos (χριστός), which means 'the anointed one'.  It's also completely fine to use Xmas to mean Christmas. 

Happy Christmas or Merry Christmas?

Why do we say 'Merry Christmas' more often than 'Happy Christmas'?! Saying 'Merry Christmas' rather than 'Happy Christmas' seems to go back several hundred years.

It's first recorded in 1534 when John Fisher (an English Catholic Bishop in the 1500s) wrote it in a Christmas letter to Thomas Cromwell:

"And this our Lord God send you a merry Christmas, and a comfortable, to your heart’s desire."

‘merry' could mean "pleasant, bountiful, prosperous, delightful, happy and cheerful.

The first Christmas Card, sent in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole, had this wording on it: "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You".

The Heart of Christmas: Celebrating the birth of Jesus.

The gospel of Luke tells us, the angel Gabriel’s message to Mary, her visit to Elizabeth, and the journey to Bethlehem where Jesus was born in humble circumstances. We hear of the angels proclaiming good news the shepherds who then hurried to see the new born Savoir.

Matthew’s account focuses on Joseph’s perspective, the visit of the Magi from the East.

Christmas story is a powerful message of hope and renewal. The birth of Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophecies of a Messiah. It marks the beginning of God’s plan of redemption that would lead to Christ’s sacrificial death and glorious resurrection.

Christmas Bible Verses about the Birth of Jesus

Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Isaiah 9:6: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Micah 5:2: "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days."

Luke 1:35: "And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God."

Luke 2:7: "And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."

Luke 2:11: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Luke 2:10: "And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.'"

Luke 2:20: "The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

Real Christmas: It’s True Meaning

The true meaning of Christmas is to celebrate God's fulfillment of His promise of a Savior. While the Christmas season may bring materialistic celebrations and commercialism, the essence of the Christmas is the birth of Christ, which inspires us to be better people and to show love and kindness to everyone around us.

Christmas challenges us to open our hearts to receive Christ, allowing his presence to transform us.


Conclusion: The Essence of Christmas

1.    Celebration of Christ's Birth: Christmas honors the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of humanity.

2.   Spiritual Reflection: The season encourages faith, renewal, and transformation through Christ.

3.   Acts of Kindness: It inspires selflessness, love, and compassion for others.

4.   Unity and Joy: Christmas unites people globally in a shared celebration of joy and goodwill.

Let’s Exercise the Word of God Every Day!

"For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

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Comments

  1. SDInSpiritDecember 2, 2024 at 10:38 AM

    I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousDecember 31, 2024 at 3:19 PM

    The "X" in "Xmas" represents the Greek letter chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Christós. Christós is the Greek word for Christ, which means "(Jesus) Christ"
    The suffix "-mas" in "Xmas" comes from the Latin-derived Old English word for "Mass". The word "Christmas" is a shortened form of "Christ's Mass".

    ReplyDelete

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