Re: Christmas or Xmas?
Originally posted by MarxmanWell Christ was simply "X"ed in to this holiday in the first place. It is not a christian holiday. But, I like the lights, and the snow and the lights and the lights. And it's good to see people that I don't get to see much. We have a great time. 😎
Putting decorations on the Christmas tree this year I began thinking. My views on life have drastically changed in the past few years. I used to be a Christian in the truest sense of the word. I accepted the teaching of the Catholic Church, did good deeds whenever I could in the name of Christ, prayed, went to church on a regular basis, etc. Approaching the end of high school, however, my views began to change, making me more of what I like to call an Ethical Hedonist.Anyway, the point of this thread. What has Christmas become? Has it become so secular and commercialized that someone who used to be a Christian but has complete rejected everything that he was taught can still enjoy the holiday?
Has Christ simply been "X"ed out of the holiday?
What religion/set of values do you follow and do you celebrate Christmas?
One year I sent out Hanukkah cards just for the fun of it..
One year I sent out Black/people of color..what ever...cards and I'm not black..
I only wish I could find Mitrha cards............ 😈
I don't like celebrating christmas, in fact it's on of my laest favourite holidays. The only things I would celebrate is Anniversaries (no, I don't mean marriage anniversaries, anniversaries in general inc. Birthdays), New Years Day, End Of School/Work, Celtic Holidays (Salstas and Equinoxes rtc.) and Saturday Night is something to celebrate, (End Of The Week).
I normally say X-Mas...not so much to take Christ out, but to acknowledge that the traditions surrounding Christmas are from a lot more sources than just Christianity, and that someone like Horus (Egyptian son of Osiris and a mortal woman) was celebrating his B-day in late December long before Jesus was (when the sun reaches its lowest point in that area of the world for 3 days, then is "re-born" as it rises...similar to Easter tradition). And that rites like the Christmas Tree, the manger birth (also from Horus' tale) and others borrow from other traditions just as liberally.
It's honestly a little funny though. If you aren't religious, there's not much reason to celebrate Christmas except for sheer mindless materialism. But it's enough of a social convention (and my family's Christian) that I doubt I'll ever break myself of the habit.
Re: Re: Christmas or Xmas?
Originally posted by Storm
The word Christ and its compounds have been abbreviated long before the modern Xmas was commonly used.
That was more of a play on words than actually asking if people say Xmas to X Christ out. I doubt it would have been popularized in a Christian society like America if that was actually the case.
LOOK!! >>
The explanation for “Xmas” actually is simple to understand, albeit somewhat odd in its linguistic origins. X is the symbol for the letter chi in Greek, the first letter of the word Xristos, Χριστος (Greek for “Christ”), the anointed one, the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
“Xmas” originated as a cross-cultural acronym for the concept – it’s not an actual word – ”Xristos-mas,” a reference to Christmas that combines the Greek with the Anglo-Saxon “mas,” for a “festival.” It was, I am informed, used respectfully and reverentially by people who had no intention of removing Christ from Christmas. But it may also have been, and still be, used by others who want to obscure the origins of the celebration of the birth of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
>> good enough?
Originally posted by JaehSkywalker
LOOK!! >>The explanation for “Xmas” actually is simple to understand, albeit somewhat odd in its linguistic origins. X is the symbol for the letter chi in Greek, the first letter of the word Xristos, Χριστος (Greek for “Christ”), the anointed one, the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
“Xmas” originated as a cross-cultural acronym for the concept – it’s not an actual word – ”Xristos-mas,” a reference to Christmas that combines the Greek with the Anglo-Saxon “mas,” for a “festival.” It was, I am informed, used respectfully and reverentially by people who had no intention of removing Christ from Christmas. But it may also have been, and still be, used by others who want to obscure the origins of the celebration of the birth of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
>> good enough?
Interesting..I never knew that - thanks for the info.
Originally posted by JaehSkywalker
LOOK!! >>The explanation for “Xmas” actually is simple to understand, albeit somewhat odd in its linguistic origins. X is the symbol for the letter chi in Greek, the first letter of the word Xristos, Χριστος (Greek for “Christ”), the anointed one, the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
“Xmas” originated as a cross-cultural acronym for the concept – it’s not an actual word – ”Xristos-mas,” a reference to Christmas that combines the Greek with the Anglo-Saxon “mas,” for a “festival.” It was, I am informed, used respectfully and reverentially by people who had no intention of removing Christ from Christmas. But it may also have been, and still be, used by others who want to obscure the origins of the celebration of the birth of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
>> good enough?
Wow. Cool. Thanks for the info (and to Storm for presenting the info first, just not as in detail).
👆
Re: Christmas or Xmas?
Originally posted by MarxmanActually X is similar to the greek letter chi which was an abreviation for christ.
Putting decorations on the Christmas tree this year I began thinking. My views on life have drastically changed in the past few years. I used to be a Christian in the truest sense of the word. I accepted the teaching of the Catholic Church, did good deeds whenever I could in the name of Christ, prayed, went to church on a regular basis, etc. Approaching the end of high school, however, my views began to change, making me more of what I like to call an Ethical Hedonist.Anyway, the point of this thread. What has Christmas become? Has it become so secular and commercialized that someone who used to be a Christian but has complete rejected everything that he was taught can still enjoy the holiday?
Has Christ simply been "X"ed out of the holiday?
What religion/set of values do you follow and do you celebrate Christmas?