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Why do people abbreviate christmas to Xmas ?

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Despite the fact that some people feel that it is an attempt to remove "Christ" from Christmas, it's actually not. In Greek the letter "X" is short for "Chi", rather than being short for "ex". It has been used, possibly as far back as the first century - by the Church itself, as an abbreviation for Christ (then later Christmas, and even the word Christian/Christianity).

http://hotword.dictionary.com/xmas-christogram/

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Really? That's awesome!:D
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Umm still i don't like :p since I'm a catholic but thx anyway :)
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JamesKaeberle
Wrong!
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James... do some research, it's amazing what you'll learn. Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean that it's incorrect.

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=xmas

http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/christianholidays/f/Xmas.htm
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JamesKaeberle
First of all I don't put my trust in man. Second your sadly mistaken about when the Word Christianity came about which means you mistaken of the other as well.


Acts 11:26

26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Your a pagan so stick to your Pagan beliefs and quit trying to tell people about what Christianity is cause you have no clue.
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Where did I say anything about when the word "Christianity" came about? I simply said that as far back at the first century, the letter "X" was used by some to reference Christ - because in Greek (you know that language that a lot of people used back then) "X" meant "Chi". I didn't say that everyone used the phrase, only that it had origins in the Church itself, and was not something that was used to denigrate the religion or Christ.

And if you don't put your trust in man - how can you trust what is written in the Bible, since it was written by men? It may be the "word of God", but it's the "word of God" as interpreted by many different men (as there are many different versions).

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Ok guys just a question so many different opinions so let's keep calm and I appreciate all of ur answers :)
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Ikr I thinks soooo wired that people do that???:/

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I know I don't like it :p glad we agree haha
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I know this is wired but has anyone told u that u look like Megan Fox:)
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Lol yeah! All the time :) u r really pretty btw :)
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Ahhh thanks sooo r u:)
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Um not really Megan fox is prettier no offense :p
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Because we are lazy

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There is no we in them
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Lol:)
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Then they are lazy
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Because they are lazy and they should not take Christ out of Christmas it is wrong it is his birthday not ours

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Thank you
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I don't do it to "diss" Christ, I do it because I'm lazy lol. I love Jesus :-)
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read the first comment
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Still I never do it I think it's disrespectful
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The early Christians were the ones who started it. It's not disrespecting anything.
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Ok we all have are own opinions
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It's not an opinion it's a historical fact. The early Christians abbreviated with "x" which was the Greek letter "chi". Why do so few believers not know the history of their religion?
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It's are different opinions
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Omg I totally <3 ur answer 100% its the best answer just what I wuz looking 4 :) thx
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Your welcome and thank you
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Np :)
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I don't know but I hate it when people write it like that. They're putting an "X" instead of Christ in Christmas. It's called Christmas. Please show some respect for the holiday and not put an "X" in it!

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The early Christians were the ones who started it, and they hardly showed respect for the pagans when they stole their winter solstice celebrations and grafted their "Jesus" onto them in the fourth century. And even better- followed it u by exterminating them if they wouldn't convert.
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True so trueee :)
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I agree with u Amanda :)
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People find it easier to put that in a quick text than Christ, which is disrespectful but it has become so common that we can not control sadly :(

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Except Christians were the ones that started it in the second century.
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JamesKaeberle

Same reason they say Happy Holiday because it means nothing to them. Just another holiday.

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Happy Holidays was originally just a shorthand for "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year".
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Happy Holidays is said because there are literally dozens of Holidays (some religious and some secular) that are celebrated between Thanksgiving and New Year's. It's the polite way of wishing someone well, when you aren't sure of their religious preferences, or when you just want to cover all your bases.
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It's faster to type.

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In Greek, the original language of the New Testament, the word for "Christ" is xplotoc, which begins with the Greek letter that is essentially the same letter as the English letter X. So, originally, Xmas was simply an abbreviation of Christmas. No grand conspiracy to take Christ out of Christmas. Just an abbreviation.

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because some people want to take the word christ out of christmas which is wrong cause i love jesus christ and im catholic

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Same :)
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yeah why did you unfollow me did i do something to offend you
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I believe that it's because they want to take Christ out of Christmas. Mas means to worship or to give praise. Therefore Christmas is the worship of Christ and people are trying to take the religious asset out of it

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Hey sorry I just read what you replied with but didn't wanna respond there since I thought I'd be awkward with that other guy...ha so yeah :P wanna text or email then?(:

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