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Merry X-Mas!


It inevitably happens around this time of year…a card, gift bag, or present with the “abbreviation” of the holiday greeting “Merry X-Mas!” Merry WHAT??? Wait just a minute! In today’s societal norms of “being offended” by everything, I might be quick to emphatically state, “Don't you dare replace the name of "Christ" with an "X!"
Now, of course, I'm being a little facetious, but in all honesty, I can't tell you how irritating it was and how angry it made me when I would see someone who would use an "X" instead of "Christ" when displaying or writing out the word "Christmas."
The same was true for any marquee, business or sign that displayed that big 'ol "X" instead of the name of "Christ." I thought "how lazy, irreverent, and sacrilegious must you be to 'x-out' Christ?" Until I learned an interesting theological point behind the "X" did I finally become comfortable using the "X."
You see, we must go back and learn that the Greek word for Christ is Xristos. Did you catch the first letter in that word? You guessed it! It is an "X!" Thus the abbreviation is simply the letter “X.”
Therefore, the term X-mas is not taking Christ out of Christmas at all. So, now, instead of being offended, I simply grin (with a modest chuckle) realizing that all those times that I thought were incidents where others were supposedly taking "Christ" out of Christmas by using an "X" were actually KEEPING the name of Christ in Christmas after all!
Of course, on a side note, once I learned this, I was quickly convicted that I had been showing a lot of ill-will and judgment towards others. I was harboring bitterness and resentment in my heart towards others. So, yes…spending some time in confession, repentance and asking God to forgive me and to change my heart for my past mis-understanding and behavior.
So, bottom line, whether we use “X” or “Christ” in “Christmas’, we just can't silence the message of Isaiah 9:6, "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."
Have a blessed Christmas season and, by the way, MERRY X-MAS!!

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