Cross Christmas
Both Xmas and Christmas Stands for Christ!
The word Christmas originated as a compound meaning “Christ’s Mass”. It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038. “Cristes” is from Greek Christos and “mæsse” is from Latin missa (the holy mass). In Greek, the letter ? (chi), is the first letter of Christ, and it, or the similar Roman letter X, has been used as an abbreviation for Christ since the mid-16th century. Hence, Xmas is often used as an abbreviation for Christmas.
The X is like a cross because it can be adjusted to look like a cross, and also because the two lines of the X cross. The X does stand for Christ . Maybe instead of abbreviating with an X we should abbreviate with a cross. Either way, I don’t see that it disrespects Christ at all because we all know it’s a Christmas Season. We cannot rise in Christ to new life without first dying with Christ on the Cross. Everything Jesus gives to us is through the Cross. True, our Christian faith is in vain without the Resurrection of Jesus, (1Corinthians 15:17) but it was the CRUCIFIXION of Jesus that paid for our sins. We cannot preach Jesus’ Resurrection without also preaching Jesus’ Crucifixion.
Jesus also does not want us to look at His Crucifixion as only a past event. When He appeared to the apostles after His Resurrection and in His glorified risen Body He showed them His wounds from His Crucifixion. (Luke 24:39-40 & John 20:20) Why would Jesus keep those wounds from His Crucifixion if He didn’t want us to remember His Crucifixion and everything He gives to us through His Cross such as His passionate and unconditional endless love and infinite mercy? What would some of Christians say to Jesus if Jesus appeared to them in His glorified risen body and showed them His wounds? Would they say, “Your Crucifixion is of the past, so why should we look at your wounds?” Crucifix to be reminded of Jesus’ passionate love and self-giving sacrifice for me. Personally I wear a Crucifix to publicly preach Jesus’ Crucified. The heart of the Gospel message is Jesus DIED for our sins and conquered death. St. Paul also says, “the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1Corinthians 1:18) God had always been invisible, but now he was made visible for the first time. What was not visible and therefore unreproduceable was now visible and made able to be reproduced. Thomas said, “Show us the Father” and Jesus responded, “Have I been with you so long and you still don’t know me” (Jn 14:9). Paul tells us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15; 2:9). Therefore, that which earlier had had no image now had a visible appearance. Jesus could now be reproduced in art because He Himself had taken on flesh and was a visible image of the Father.
The true meaning of Christmas is love. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love.
. During the 16th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ’s name, “X” in place of the word Christ in Christmas as a shorthand form of the word. Although the early Christians understood that X stood for Christ’s name, later Christians who did not understand the Greek language mistook “Xmas” as a sign of disrespect.
There are many people who argue against Xmas as an insult to the ‘true meaning of Christmas’, namely the birth of Christ. This argument actually is not even half right and shows a misunderstanding of the nature of Biblical writing over the centuries. Substituting an X for Christ is not, as some would suggest, an attempt to ‘cross out Christ from Christmas’. The history behind Xmas was not a plot to take Christ out of Christmas, but was an abbreviation of Christ’s name in the Greek language.Xmas has been used for hundreds of years in religious writing. In this use, it is parallel to other forms such as “Xtian”/Christian.
But people unaware of the Greek origin of this X often mistakenly interpret Xmas as an informal shortening. Many therefore frown upon the term Xmas (with the first syllable pronounced “eks”) because it seems to them a commercial convenience that omits Christ from Christmas.
For a long time before the abbreviations surfaced in popular use, Greek philosophers understood what we are presently discovering, that Christmas and Xmas are one and the same.
As a “Christian” or “Xtian.X has been used as a substitution for Christ since at least the Fifteenth Century and came into more common usage with the arrival of the printing press. With each letter needing to be placed and set by hand, printing became more expensive when more letters were used. This meant that many abbreviations became more popular, including the replacement of Christ in church pamphlets and hymn books with ‘C’.
The X variation dates back further and is related to Christian symbols scratched into Roman catacombs. X became a potent Christian symbol, in much the same way as the fish symbol does today. So when printers came into operation, the expensive Christmas was often written as the far cheaper Xmas, even though – and this is the important point – they are still pronounced the same.
That’s right — you should never say ‘exmas’. Although the X symbol bears an uncanny likeness to our letter X and has therefore become synonymous with it, it actually is a different symbol and is pronounced ‘Christ’.
So next time you are berated for writing the word Xmas, hold your head high in the knowledge that you are actually perpetuating an obscure character with ancient etymology.
Galatians 6:14
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
1 Corinthians 1:17
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospelnot with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Galatians 5:11
Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
Galatians 6:12
Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.
Ephesians 2:16
and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Philippians 3:18
For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Colossians 1:20
And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Philippians 2:8
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Then again, if you utter the word ‘exmas’, Then it is seriously considered wrong!
About the Author
http://jesus4me.webs.com/
It’s About the Cross – Christmas Music Video
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Wilton 2304-1050 101-Piece Cookie Cutter Set $11.15 Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Valentine’s Day…cookie cutters for every season, and more! With a complete set of letters and numbers, designs for cowboys, stars, cars and animals, you’ll be ready for any occasion. Durable plastic cutters come in a convenient storage container. Hand wash. (2-1/2 to 6-1/4)… |
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Paper Orchid Cupcake Wrappers in Sets of 12 Were proud to bring you this exquisitely laser cut decoration for your baked goods.Cupcake wrappers can be used around glass votive holders, wrapped around a cup for a candy holder, and even to present muffins or other cup-shaped goods.Cake Wraps are new this year. Use one six-pack to wrap up to a 15 diameter cake plate, or use one strip to wrap around a cupcake holder.All of our products are lase… |
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Household Essentials Medium Storage Bag, Clear Polyethylene with Black Trim $6.36 Store large and oddly shaped items in the medium MightyStor bag. Durable and able to withstand extremes of temperature and use, this bag safely stores your belongings and protects them from the elements. … |
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Jim Croce Photographs & Memories: His Greatest Hits $6.86 Until his untimely death, Jim Croce was a force to be reckoned with on radio playlists. Photographs & Memories repackages some of his best work. Romantic acoustic-oriented songs were his hallmark, and songs like “Time in a Bottle,” were huge hits because of their easy sentimentality. “I Got a Name” was the singer as well-worn folk traveler, while “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” and even “You Don’t Mess Aro… |
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Victorinox Swiss Army Champion Plus Pocket Knife $34.99 From the renowned company that created the Swiss Army Knife a century ago comes the Champion Plus, a complete set of tools for campers, hikers, hunters, fishers, picnic enthusiasts, and people all trades–all neatly contained in a single implement. Measuring just 3-1/2 inches long, the Champion Plus is stylishly cased in the famous red Swiss Army body that’s recognized around the world. More impor… |
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Cloisonne Christmas Cross Ornament $28 This symbol of faith is a shimmering reminder of the spirituality of Christmas. An intricate gilded filigree cross is hand-enameled with cloisonné holly. Gold loop for hanging. 4 1/2″ long. |
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Christmas Cross Necklace(Pack of 20) $2.99 Christmas Cross Necklace.Priced per necklace.Green wreath with red glass beads. |
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Brass Cross Christmas Ornament Assortment(Pack of 48) $2.5 Brass Cross Christmas Ornament Assortment. 3 Assorted. Brass. 2 1/2″ high. |
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Cross-eyed Cricket CEC179 The Christmas Teddies Smocking Plate $4.5 Cross-eyed Cricket CEC179 The Christmas Teddies Smocking Plate |
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Cross-eyed Cricket Christmas Magic #113 Smocking Plate $4.5 Cross-eyed Cricket Christmas Magic #113 Smocking Plate |
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Sudberry House Machine Cross Stitch Embroidery Christmas Kisses D5000 CD $49.99 Sudberry House Machine Cross Stitch Embroidery Christmas Kisses D5000 CD |
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Christmas Angel $36.99 GLORIOUS CHRISTMAS ANGEL, made all the more elegant with beads and metallic accents. Counted cross stitch kit includes 14-count white Aida cloth, presorted cotton floss, metallic thread, beads, needle, chart and instructions. 16″ x 18″ without frame. |
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A Christmas Carol $13.44 adapted from the novel by Charles Dickens Holiday ComedyCharacters: 17 male, 14 female, double casting and cross-gender casting possible Multiple Settings A Ridiculous but surprisingly faithful rendition of the Dickens classic in which Ebenezer Scrooge is haunted by the ghosts of his late partner, Jacob Marley, Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come. Faced with his own mortality, and the evil results of his misanthropic, miserly ways, Scrooge is redeemed, reconciled with his nephew and his neighbors, and becomes a second father to his assistant’s son, Tiny Tim. Ludlam finds the humor as well as the pathos in this Victorian melodrama, creating the most Dickensian and stageworthy adaptation yet. "A faithful, authentic adaptation of the evergreen Christmas tale."- The New York Times "A perfect holiday entertainment." – SoHo Weekly News "A delicious family treat."- Christian Science Monitor |
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Christian Christmas Keepsake Ornaments $5.4 Faith Hope and Love abide but the greatest of these is Love This verse from 1 Corinthians is the timeless theme for this Christianbased wedding collection 3 first christmas keepsake ornament with verse Faith hope and love abide but the greatest of these is love 1Corinthians13 on back 1st Christmas together front 35 Christian cross keepsake ornament |
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Donna Kooler’s Cross-Stitch Christmas by Kooler, Donna Edition , 0 $22.49 Treat everyone on your Christmas list….Grid patterns and instructions for 35 projects…include six Christmas stocking designs, 10 ornament designs, a bunny ballerina alphabet…nutcrackers, a mouse house, Christmas geese and angels.– Country Folk Art. …a wonderful selection of projects.– Craft Digest. 128 pages (all in color), 8 1/2 x 11. |
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Cross Of Nails Ornaments With Card(Pack of 12) $2.99 Cross of Nails with Holly Wreath Christmas ornaments with a poem. Each 3″ resin wholesale bulk cheap discount Christmas ornament includes a 3 3/4″ card. |
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The Christmas Shoes $3.95 Sometimes, the things that can change your life will cross your path in one instant-and then, in a fleeting moment, they’re gone. But if you open your eyes, and watch carefully, you will believe…. Robert is a successful attorney who has everything in life-and nothing at all. Focused on professional achievement and material rewards, Robert is on the brink of losing his marriage. He has lost sight of his wife, Kate, their two daughters, and ultimately himself. Eight year old Nathan has a beloved mother, Maggie, whom he is losing to cancer. But Nathan and his family are building a simple yet full life, and struggling to hold onto every moment they have together. A chance meeting on Christmas Even brings Robert and Nathan together-he is shopping for a family he hardly knows and Nathan is shopping for a mother he is soon to lose. In this one encounter, their lives are forever altered as Robert learns an important lesson: sometimes the smallest things can make all the difference. "The Christmas Shoes" is a universal story of the deeper meaning of serendipity, a tale of our shared humanity, and of how a power greater than ourselves can shape, and even save, our lives. |
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Personalized Ceramic Cross with Daisies (Blue) $30 No matter the occasion-baby shower, christening, baptism, birthday, Christmas-this beautiful, ceramic cross is a meaningful baby gift that makes an attractive addition to any nursery wall. Features and facts:Ceramic cross is deep blue with white daisies Personalize with baby’s name Cross measures 10″” high |
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The Max Lucado Christmas Collection $7.99 Three Christmas stories from Max Lucado that will warm your heart and soul! All three individual hardcover novels are included in this special holiday gift collection. AN ANGEL’S STORY: Journey back in time to the very throne of God . . . and witness firsthand the gory, the wonder, and the battle that took place on the very first Christmas from heaven’s perspective. THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE: In a small village in the Cotswolds, nothing out of the ordinary ever happens. Except at Christmastime. But when a mysterious angel suddenly appears in a lowly candlemaker’s shop, the holy and the human collide in a way that forever changes the village. THE CHRISTMAS CHILD: A Chicago journalist finds himself in a deserted Texas town on Christmas Eve. Lonely and alone, he encounters old faces and new facts . . . a hand carved manger, a father’s guilt, a young girl’s faith. The trip into the past holds his key to the future, and a scarlet cross shows him the way home. |
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Spirit of Christmas Angel $11.99 SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS counted cross stitch angel ornaments by Brooke Nolan – hang them from tree, mantel or doorknobs. Kits include 14-count perforated paper, seed beads, needles, chart and instructions. You provide floss and backing paper. Each, 5″ x 7″. SAVE All Three Angel Ornaments $33.99 |