Origin of "X-mas"

Sam Chavez sent this to me so I thought I would post it. It is quite thought provoking.

The Origin of "Xmas"

Dennis Bratcher

Some people seem to get worked up easily about things that are either largely irrelevant or incidental, or that they do not really understand. This seems to be the case with some religious folk when the topic is an aspect of Christianity that is personally important to them.

For example, around Christmas each year there are always those who loudly decry the use of the abbreviation "Xmas" as some kind of blasphemy against Christ and Christianity. This concern has been elevated recently with the public debates about manger scenes and the substitution of "holiday" for Christmas in stores and government venues. Among religious folks, the objection to Xmas is usually along the line that people have taken Christ out of Christmas and replaced him with an unknown (since the Greek letter chi, [C,c] which looks like the English letter x, is the symbol for an unknown quantity in mathematics).

For example, on the "Voice of Prophecy" web site is an article entitled "You Can’t "X" out Christ."

You’ve heard the classic story about the little boy who noticed the huge red-and-green sign spray-painted on a department story: "Happy Xmas." And he wondered aloud about the X. Why was it X-mas? And finally, in a forlorn voice, he asked his dad: "Did they cross Christ out of Christmas, Daddy?" And the father had never thought of it that way before, but finally nodded. "Yes, Son, I guess they did." And it makes you think.

Well it certainly does make one think. It makes one think how uninformed or misinformed, and unnecessarily militant with that misinformation, so many Christians are concerning their own Faith. The story illustrates what could have been a marvelous opportunity to teach a child about some of the important symbolism of the Christian Faith. But it was an opportunity lost, in this story at least, because many Christians do not understand their own iconography and symbolism. The results are often battles waged against windmills while far more consequential issues for the Faith are neglected (a modern example of Matt. 23:23).

Now, in all honesty, the article on that web site focuses on the secular commercialization of Christmas, something to which most Christians I know would object or at least with which they are uncomfortable (note similar comments by Ken Collins in Christmas Facts [external link]). But the fact that the use of "Xmas" can be associated so easily with crass commercialization rather than locating it within the Christian tradition itself reveals a lack of understanding of heritage and history.

The same perspective is obvious in this response to a BBC broadcast on the meaning of Christmas:

The time has come to separate the religious festival of Christmas from the trading season of "xmas."

It is as if the term "Xmas" used anywhere in public is part of some diabolical grinchly plot to subvert Christmas. This is implied in other places as well. A 2005 poll on the website bible.com, a popular biblical resource site, has this question: "What concerns you the most about how the world is attacking Christmas, a Christian holiday?" The four choices given in order are:

1) Using an "X" to replace Christ’s name in Christmas - i.e. Xmas;
2) Banning manger scenes from public places;
3) Substituting "Happy Holidays" for "Merry Christmas";
4) Emphasizing Santa Claus over Baby Jesus.

Certainly, the question does not imply what the web site itself thinks of the answers. But the fact that this issue can still be included with the other fears that people have about Christmas illustrates a continuing and significant level of misinformation mixed with people’s concerns. And the less than neutral language of the question ("world," "attacking," "Christian") certainly leaves the impression that using "Xmas" is part of some worldly plot to overthrow Christendom.

This misunderstanding and fear mongering about the use of "Xmas" is not a new phenomenon. I heard the same kinds of comments in sermons many years ago. It was especially prevalent among those Christians and church leaders who wanted or needed to see the world in negative and threatening terms (see The Jonah Syndrome), or who tended to see everything in society as part of some grand conspiracy of Satan or the inexorable working out of God’s own predetermined plan, without really knowing all the facts or complexities of the situation (see Christians and Urban Legends).

I have no doubt that some people write "Xmas" because they are too busy or too lazy to write out the whole word. And no doubt some secular people, who are just as uninformed as Christians, see "Xmas" as a way to avoid writing "Christ." And certainly there are secular and commercial motives in the fact that "XMAS" appears in ads and signs because it can be larger and more attention getting in the same amount of space (more bang for the buck). But those factors do not take away the thoroughly Christian origin of the word "Xmas." In this instance, all of the hype and hysteria over supposedly taking Christ out of Christmas by writing "Xmas" instead of spelling out "Christmas" is both uninformed and misdirected.

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 (cristoV, or as it would be written in older manuscripts, CRISTOS) 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 (see Chrismons), 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 (icquV, 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.

Great clip about Evangelism

Meeting tomorrow!

Don't forget we have our meeting tomorrow at 5 pm (or when you get there after work). We'll meet at the Flying Star on 8th and Silver.

We may have guests, see David's post below, and certainly there will be great discussion. Hope to see you all there!

Upcoming Emerging Conference

There will be a major Emerging Church conference here in Albuquerque this March! Presenters include Brian McLaren, Fr. Richard Rohr, Phyllis Tickle, and Shane Claiborne. Here is the website http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/conferences/emer/ The cost is somewhat expensive, but there is a group rate, and being this early, we may be able to negotiate an even lower per-person cost. I plan to attend and hope to take along a couple people from Trinity (my congregation). Just a heads-up so we can start thinking and planning.

December Guests

I remember at our last meeting we discussed ways to make our next meeting come alive (even more alive than it was!). One suggestion was to bring in someone who lived on the street to be part of the gathering. While that may prove lively to us, my experience with many street folk around Trinity is that they have larger underlying issues, and a handout is usually just that, not a hand up.

As a result, I've searched for other ministries around Albuquerque, and I've had the privilege to meet and become involved with East Central Ministries. Check out their website at www.eastcentralministries.org. They are doing some innovative programs to build up the La Mesa through indigenous leadership including a housing co-op (sort of a cross between apartments and condominiums) for neighborhood families, a food co-op for families, neighborhood health care, and lots of kids' mentoring, tutoring, etc.. I'm also teaching piano lessons and leading worship at Escuela Luz del Mundo www.elmabq.org, a private school dedicated to high-quality education for kids from poor families at the corner of Pennsylvania and Chico NE.

While having lunch with a friend the other day, I ran into John Bulten, the leader of ECM, and
Rick Kitchen, the leader of ELM. I told them both about our emerging group, and they were very interested. So if their schedules are free, one or both of them will likely be joining us at our next meeting. They would undoubtedly provide us with some interesting conversations.

And in the meantime, if anyone in our group is interested in helping out with either organization please let me know or get in touch with John or Rick personally through the websites.

Freedom in Christ

Hello everyone. This weekend I was graced with the pleasure of hearing (and being deeply affected by) a wonderful message about what it means to be free in Christ. What is it about those three words being linked together that most significantly grips you?

I'm Lovin' It!

No, I'm not talking about McDonald's. I'm talking about our cohort gathering last night. It was awesome! I left feeling positive, uplifted, and spiritually nourished. I'm very much looking forward to the next one!

Meeting tomorrow!

Don't forget that we'll be meeting at the Flying Star on Central in Nob Hill round about 5 pm tomorrow! I'll be there by then but many will trickle in as work finishes up.

Hope to see you there!

The Relevance of God's Truth?

I believe in truth as being such, irrespective of my own subjective understanding of what that entails. I believe that objective truth exists outside of my suggesting what truth's actual nature and content may consist of. Yet, at the same time, if someone comes along and tells me what I am supposed to believe, even if I think they raise a good point, I don't necessarily feel inclined to accept their understanding of that particular truth nor do I believe I possess the power needed to do so even if I desired to do so.

For years I have been exhorted by many external sources (pastors, teachers, friends) to believe the same things that they believe, and often times there would be negative consequences imposed upon me if I chose to reject their suppositions of which they said were actually God's revelation to all men in a universal way.

As much as I value the idea of truth, especially God's truth, I now am of the mind that unless more than just my brain seeks to attain to what my whole heart longs for, then what is the point of listening to others' points of view and then their expecting me to accommodate my current beliefs to theirs? I value the fact that God may have spoken to them in such a way as it affected them profoundly. I seek the same for myself. I desire to hear from others their new and exciting transforming words from God to them. But I struggle so much when I am expected to "get it" by way of intellectual assent, when they have the experience to validate for them the words of God themselves.

I think I prefer Jesus' way where he was recognised "as" one who had authority, that not of the Scribes, and yet he exhorts us to judge for ourselves. I am compelled to move in this direction as I am curious about the words He has for me (that is, words spoken directly to me), and I would love to share them with others in the hope that they would seek Him out for themselves too, apart from expecting to hear the same exact message as I had received. There may be general truths of revelation, but apart from my being able to grasp them from the core of my whole being, of what use are they?

November Meeting!

We're two weeks away from our November meeting. I'll probably get in and add our meeting dates to the sidebar next week but this week is my busy week before the big youth carnival at Central on Saturday.

Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 11th at 5 pm at Flying Star on Central just to the west of Carlisle. We'll get together for a meal and discussion. Your meal is on your own.

Can't wait to see the group again! I know I have invited some people to join us who are interested in the conversation. Hopefully we'll have a pretty good crowd!

Dork

Laura,
Sorry we missed you at ACC tonight. (I couldn't access your email, so I'm trying to contact you via blog.) Please tell Paul I'm a dork. He asked if I was the Alli "who wrote us up". I said I wasn't - thinking he was referring to something he talked about in his sermon - seemed like a newspaper article or something. I figured out that he was probably talking about the Emergent ABQ blog - duh. :) Thanks, Alli.

Churches

Hey,
It occurred to me that just about all of us are in different churches and in different roles. I thought it would be interesting to compare notes on where we worshipped this week - good, bad, indifferent...

At my church, we had lay leaders do the message. I realized that I've gotten so used to sermons not being read from the pulpit that when it happens, it affects how I receive it. The words aren't any less sincere or enlightening, just not memorized. I probably need to be more gracious about that.

One of the speakers referenced a scene from the movie "Sex & the City" without saying the title which I thought was funny. We have the children play percussion instruments with the praise band before they go off to their own worship. There's one little guy that can rock a cowbell like no other!

Anyone else have things they wanted to share about their worship service? Thanks, Alli.

ACC

After hearing Laura talk about "Counterculture" or ACC, I got curious and attended last night. The folks were welcoming and laid-back. I understand it was acoustic night - not their normal music set up but it was really good, nonetheless. I particularly liked how creative they were about the service. They used a YouTube music video - Lifehouse, "Broken", which happens to be one of my favorite songs right now. They also used a very old clip from the Muppets. Communion was tiny glasses of milk and tiny cookies. It reminded me of the contemporary service at Asbury in the old days when our entire focus was outside the walls and joked about who's turn it was to drag people in off the street. :)

Creativity takes work and risk but it's so worth it. Some things work, some things don't but it's so fun to throw ideas out there as a team - try to tap into the Holy Spirit and go beyond ourselves.

St. John's this morning was also amazing. We had a Baptism for an adult who was Jewish. Those of us from Asbury have been separated and it was good to look around the room and come together as a Community within a loving new community. Just amazed me how God works when we think things are broken beyond repair.

Hope you're having a great Autumn morning. See you soon, Alli.

Directions to Greenside Cafe for tomorrow

Just in case....

I-40 eastbound from Albuquerque (about a 15 minute-drive from Uptown) to the Cedar Crest/Tijeras exit (Exit #175). Follow the signs for Cedar Crest, North 14. Once you cross back under I-40, heading north into Cedar Crest on Highway 14, it's about 3 miles to the restaurant. It will be on your left in the Village at Bella Vista shopping center (12165 North Highway 14, Suite B-1). There will be a Davis Hardward across the street from the shopping center to use as a landmark. See you tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.!

October 11th Updated Update

Okay, I made a "command decision" and reserved a space for us at the Green Side Cafe in Cedar Crest. It's not up at Sandia Crest, but we can always drive up there after we eat if we still decide we want to do that.

Green Side Cafe looks great (go to the web site: greensidecafe.net) and is located at 12165 Highway 14 North, Suite B-1 in Cedar Crest. (This address doesn't seem to work on MapQuest or Google Maps -- not in their database I guess). It's in that new shopping center called the Village of Bella Vista Shopping Center where the Triangle Grocery store is located. It's a new shopping center constructed in recent years on the WEST side of the street (on your left). It's hard to miss. The architecture is unique, very mountainesque with the metal snow roof style.

If anyone doesn't know exactly how to get to Highway 14 in Cedar Crest, let me know!

They're expecting us at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. You can check out the menu on their web site. Good stuff and good prices too.

Peace,
Troy

October 11th Update

I can't believe tomorrow is already October 1st! Okay, so I found the Village Coffee House in Tijeras Village. Very cute, very artsy-fartsy, and could easily have room for us IF it's not crowded. They have a "few" tables. The down-side: They don't serve food other than danishes and muffins. The other option, thanks to a wonderful suggestion by our brother Chris, is for us to meet up at Sandia Crest. Yes, the top of the mountain. Can you say "Maria Von Trapp?" There is a little eatery connected to the gift shop up there, but I don't really remember exactly what they have or if they have any decent breakfast food. Phone calls are in order. Would the group we willing to drive up to the Crest? Meanwhile, I'll look at restaurant alternatives in Cedar Crest. Thanks, Troy

An Inquiring Mind is Inquiring

Especially to all those who were able
to make last Tuesday's gathering,

As I was not able to be with you on this last Tuesday I was wondering about some of the subject matter you discussed. Perhaps you might care to elaborate a little, particularly if there was something of real interest to you.

Thanks,

Chris.

Worship Space - Church Buliding

To fellow group members:

My church, Trinity, has a beautiful worship space from the 1950s. So many people come in and say, "This is how a church should look," and it's an instant sell for anyone who wants to get married here.

Yet we're also finding the size and scope of the building difficult and expensive to maintain, heat, and care for. So I'm starting to dream about different spaces for and ways of doing worship.

I invite you to dream with me and reply what your ideal worship space would be. In a formal sanctuary? A storefront on Central? Someone's home? A theater? A restaurant? A gym/multipurpose room? Wherever Christians gather? Let me know!

September Emergent ABQ Gathering

I was trying to hook up something special this month, but it is taking a bit too long to get it together. Instead of continuing to put it off, let's just get together next Tuesday September 23rd at Kelly's on Central starting at around 5 on the patio. We will just get together and visit, so be thinking about topics you want to discuss and maybe we can do something more active next month. Bring those ideas as well. I'm looking forward to seeing you and meeting some new people. If you know anyone that might be interested, invite them! Have a great week! Oh, and by the way, my band Next 2 the Tracks is playing at Rally's on Central and 4th st. this Saturday night. It will probably be pretty late like 10:30 or 11 pm so I understand if you can't come, but I thought I'd put it out there, just in case.

The United Methodist Portal

My first Emergent Cohort blog. Yeah!

I haven't met any of you yet, but looking forward to meeting everyone at the next Cohort gathering.

I wanted to add some food for thought to the blog, so here goes. I was reading The Reporter yesterday and this article caught my attention right away. Especially interesting was the section under the question, Why does emergent theology make some Christians nervous?

The United Methodist Portal

Blessed day to you all,

Kyle Nix

Brand new

Hello all!
It was great to meet all of you. I am brand new at this blog business but I feel really excited by all the brand new things God is bringing into my life. What was "out of the box" before Tuesday is definitely not out there now. I look forward to getting to know all of you better. It's risky to bring new ideas into the world. I always think that what I think is profound won't be new to anyone else. Can't believe that at 45, I'm still looking at the world with wide-eyed wonder but wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks for having me in the group, Alli.

A Rendition of God's Story for Humanity

I wanted to share with all of you a rendering of what God may be up to in terms of what His Good News is. In sharing this, I don't intend for this to supplant anyone's personal understanding of the Gospel, but to give cause to reflect upon and, perhaps, supplement that present understanding. I am anxious to gain access to your thoughts on the subject

Quoted from Richard Vincent's book Hide and Seek:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth in order to provide an environment where we might dwell in His divine Presence. Tragically, humankind has turned from God's will through sin and hides in the shadows. Instead of abandoning humanity to their sin, God's Presence has uniquely entered into the world in the Person of Jesus Christ. Unlike Adam, Jesus fully lived in the Presence of God. He did more than lift His finger (symbolizing humanity's initial lack of desire to respond to God properly), He gave His life! By doing so Jesus has borne the curse of sin and reversed its brutal and dehumanizing consequences. He has pulled humankind from its vain attempts to hide from God in the shadow of sin and shame. Jesus has made it possible for God's story to end with the complete renewal of all things, a renewal that culminates with all people living together in love before Him.

Beloved, let us love one another.....

I simply want to share that I enjoyed each and every one of you on Tuesday. I am very much looking forward to finding out just what it is that each of you, as individuals, care so much about on this planet we share. We have all become the people we are because of many things that have happened in our lives (good and bad), and because of the many other people we have crossed paths with. Thank you for becoming a good part of my life. I can only hope that I can become a positive influence in yours, as well, as we venture into the future together to see what God has in store.

God bless you all,

Chris.

This is awesome!

Tuesday was my very first Emergent Cohort gathering, and this is my very first blog "membership." I've never done these before -- at least not quite like this. So it's another week of "firsts." I am truly amazed, blessed and humbled at how God has revealed Himself to me through others since moving to New Mexico -- and it just continues -- it doesn't stop! I'm very excited about this group and went away Tuesday with a very pleasant, spiritually peaceful feeling in my mind, body and soul, and when that happens you know I'll be back!

Thank you Todd.

Troy

P.S. Good message Sam, and don't worry about the depression thing, because I find myself on that road once in a while myself!

Ditto on the greetings from Rev. Todd

I was not expecting much when Peggy and I showed up for our meeting this week. Though I am an optimist by nature, time and circumstances have worn away (only slightly) some of my natural optimism thereby minimizing any potential disappointment.

That being said, I have to say Peggy and I were rewarded by a group of people who seem truly capable of caring, not only about each other, but strangers as well ...I dare say.

Thank you all for the experience.

I tend to do more listening in my initial encounters with "aliens" to evaluate (judge), and ponder (fake wisdom) where or how I might fit in (impose my will on you).

In any case my deep philosophical questions come in spasms and for the most part I don't really care about that type of conversation. I have my issues with God, as Todd well knows as well as minor fits of depression which sometimes debilitate me but all that aside, I care much about social issues and to that end I work, volunteering my time, as a board member on the NAMI New Mexico Board.(national alliance on mental illness)

So in conclusion you may be asking yourself: how can he deal with depression AND be an optimist for the most part? Answer: Mania under control = optimism.

My love and God's best to you all. I hope we get to know each other intimately and I can gradually feel more comfortable sharing my experiences (Dumping) with you.

HotelCarcel aka Sam [I forgot I had a Google account under, of all things, HotelCarcel. remind me and I will tell you about this one :>)]

Greetings

Hello everyone. We are starting an Emergent Cohort here in Albuquerque and are in the midst of figuring out who we are and what we want to (do, be, discuss, questions, etc.). I hope we can use this blog as a place to be in communion with one another and discuss things while being apart, until we come together each month. It would be a great goal for everyone to post at least one thing a month as well as comment on the posts of others. I really enjoyed getting to know everyone a little bit better on Tuesday and I look forward to getting to know you more each month.