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| Xmas Myth #1 - Xmas |
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Some people think that if you abbreviate Christmas as X-mas, you are x-ing Jesus Christ out of Christmas. That’s actually a Christmas myth. It’s a simple misunderstanding of language. For centuries when making Bible study notes, our Christian ancestors used shorthand for the names of God and Christ using the first Greek letter of those names.
In Greek, God is Θεος (theos) and so a popular abbreviation for God has been the Greek letter Θ (pronounced either theeta, or thayta). Likewise, Christ in Greek is Χριστος (pronounced either Kristos or with a hard h-sound KHristos). So, the abbreviation for Christ is the first Greek letter X of his name (prounced either khye or khee), which looks like our English letter X. And so, a legitimate abbreviation for Christmas is Xmas. Rather than leaving Christ out with the abbreviation, I prefer to also remember the cross and Easter in the abbreviation Xmas. May your Xmas be one filled with every blessing! |
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| To add a comment to "Xmas Myth #1 - Xmas" |
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| December 03, 2008 |
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| Excellent! Let us dispel those silly myths!!! |
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| December 03, 2008 |
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| Great ONE!!! |
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| December 04, 2008 |
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| Our pastor preached on this in the past......thanks for posting it :) |
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| December 04, 2008 |
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God bless you Mike;
loved your post. hope all is well. |
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| December 04, 2008 |
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| Liked your post Grant. |
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| December 04, 2008 |
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Now I know that this is a Myth.....but in this time where prayer is taken out of schools and its so offensive to even talk about My Lord and Savior, I think that as Christians we should write Christmas as apposed to Xmas. This is just my opinion (for what its worth) When I see Xmas (I'm sure that I will) I will also remember the Cross.I really like that!! God bless!! |
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| December 04, 2008 |
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| Good to know! Great series; coming back later to read the rest! |
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| December 04, 2008 |
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| Haha this is awesome.... someone long ago told me I was crossing Christ out of Christmas when He saw me use that abreveation. I've been reluctant to use it ever since. Now I am free of one more thing lol... Wow... Jesus just keeps freeing me ...of all kinds of stuff ...Thanks Grant =0) |
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| December 04, 2008 |
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| I can't believe I've been in church all my life and this is the first time I've heard that. I knew pretty much all those facts but had never tied them together. That's great stuff. |
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| December 04, 2008 |
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| Nice....kinda like remembering that Nicholas was Bishop of Smyrna, known firstly for his allowing God to use him in many miraculous and wonderful ways. Every Santa I see reminds me of the man who's love for God was great and enduring. |
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| December 04, 2008 |
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I hate to admit it but I can't stand Xmas because of that myth. While it is nice to know it's just a myth, I must say I love to see the word Christ. Good one! |
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| December 04, 2008 |
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Mike, Doyle Cindy Lou, ihs, Marilyn, and Handmaiden thank you! Delores, good thought! Carol and Mike, thank you! Loren, the day we stop learning, we stop living :) Dennis, good comment. Stacey, we have the freedom to choose. It's not a perfect opinion either way. |
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| December 05, 2008 |
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| That's a good one to know. I was one who thought that X in x-mas, means Christ is absent. Thanks for this tidbit :-) God bless you as you prepare for X-Mas. |
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| December 06, 2008 |
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| I totally understand what you are saying in this post and all the references given...but I have to think about it as this...why would we want to exclude His name out of His day when they have taken Him out of much? Even though it seems simple and a myth I am still reminded that God does not want us excluding He nor His name out of anything. Even the stores have chosen to take Him out and declare, Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas bc the Athiest are offended by them using it. The more we as Christians excluded His name even in the simple things then the world will have no trouble excluded Him as well. Sorry...just my thoughts and this was a great blog and something to think about! |
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| December 06, 2008 |
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I agree with Tania P. The exact same statement I went with before, There are a lot of excuses for bad habits. no need to give the "seculars" more wood to burn. I also know the word "Easter" does not appear in the actual text. It is Pascal, or Passover which ALL good Christians should observe every year. I think it is time Christians should start getting things strait in God's Word. This is all a good start. |
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| December 06, 2008 |
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| I never knew this, thanks for sharing. |
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| December 06, 2008 |
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Very useful blog series, Grant! |
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| December 07, 2008 |
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Wow, you did some research!. I have been saved 33 years and thought it was bad stuff to write Xmas. Well, I am like Robin...free of one more thing. I like Christmas but at least when I see it I won't be freaked. One less freakadilly in my life is ok by me. blessings to you brother Grant! |
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| December 08, 2008 |
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Hi Grant~
Thank You for the New Freedom! So, We now say to You and all who You Love....... MERRY XMASS GRANT TO YOU AND ALL WHO YOU LOVE!......Ken & Angel. |
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| December 08, 2008 |
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| Wacky post deleted: Both X and XP are legitimate abbreviations for Xmas. -mas actually comes from the mass, and that is a legitimate word for communion. A number of substitute words for communion were coined during the first 300 years of persecution, so as to avoid offending Roman persecutors. Mass originally came from the timing of communion, at the end or dis-miss-al of a service. |
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| December 08, 2008 |
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| Grant: There is one in every bunch ;) |
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| December 08, 2008 |
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| True Cindy! I suppose it's like driving. One in ten is a nut. So when I run across one, instead of getting mad, I just say, "There goes number 10." LOL. |
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| December 08, 2008 |
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| Correction, I meant to say that X and XP are legitimate abbreviations for Christ. Sigh! |
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| December 09, 2008 |
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I think it’s a matter of conscience, and being that we are not from Greece….I’ve always preferred to write out the name Christmas because there is so much anti religion in this holiday I don’t like the X. The research is awesome...I just don't think people are doing it because they no what it stands for.....a lot of people are doing it because they want to cross out the name of Christ. Again this is my opinion..plz don't think of me as a #10 lol :) Have a blessed day and Christmas. |
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| December 09, 2008 |
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| LOL. Good one and you have a valid point. |
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| December 11, 2008 |
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| and x marks the spot. cant' have Christmas without the Cross. |
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| December 12, 2008 |
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| Thanks Grant just like Robinjoysweetbabe I too thought the X was downgrading Jesus! Thanks Bro |
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| October 30, 2009 |
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wow, I learn something new everyday, with Christmas just around the corner, this is something to remember |
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| October 30, 2009 |
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| When I see "xmas", I see the cross and the baby who came into the world to take the punishment we deserve. How fitting it is then to connect the death and birth of God Among Us - Emanuel - in such a simple word. |
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| October 30, 2009 |
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| I like that comment Gene. |
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