Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

I thought I was probably the only one.
It annoys me, big time.

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

Guilty as charged. I am always using abbreviations so xmas is definitely in my typing rotation. However, I mean absolutely no disrespect to Christ, I'm just lazy!

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

I do that all the time, but i'm always trying to abbreviate something... I never thought anything of it.

Message edited 9/1/2009 12:06:41 PM.

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

It annoys me like all message board short cuts - u r 2 l8 for xmas

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

at this stage, i think everyone knows how i feel on the subject

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

The Xmas thing doesn't bother me so much (though I don't think I use it at all...) What bothers me is the over-commercialization of Christmas and the fact that department stores (and my ILs ) have been "celebrating" it since Halloween.

I LOVE Christmas - but not 2 or 3 months of it. I'll get into the Christmas spirit when - oh I don't know - Christmas is actually close.

I do all my shopping ahead of time to get it out of the way and not have to rush, but I don't feel like singing jingle bells and decorating my tree in November...

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

We have a sign on our lawn that says "Keep Christ in Christmas" next to our creche. I can't tell you how many people have knocked on our door asking where they can get the sign for themselves. (we got it from the Knights of Colombus but if you do a search you can find a lot of them).

I guess a lot of people feel that way.

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

it does annoy me and i'm not even religious. i just think it looks ugly.

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

hmm. i am jewish, and i never thought anything about writing x-mas as an abbreviation - never as an insult to christ, just as a shortcut. i can't imagine that anyone would write x-mas intending to offend christians. that being said, this kind of makes me re-think my actions... i think it's more about being flippant than offensive, KWIM, and i can 1000% see how that would be upsetting to anyone who practicies christianity.

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

Not at all... Never even thought of it.

But the link provided before explains it - sounds good to me:

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.

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

Posted by BunnyWife

Posted by marriedinportjeff

hi all.... your friendly neighborhood armchair religious historian here....

you shouldn't be annoyed by 'XMAS'
This term has been subbing in for 'Christmas' for centuries, and is based in christian traditions.... 'X' subbing in for 'Christ' has exisited for a very long time.... It is NOT rooted in anything secular at all.... and is NOT an attempt to remove Christ from Christmas.

however, xmas should be pronounced 'Christmas', not 'Exmas'.

long-winded link with explanation of origins of Xmas here

BUMP! I think everyone should read this. No reason to get upset witht he Xmas. It means the same thing as Christmas

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

It doesn't bother me and I think there are too many other things to worry about.

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

If you are a proud/devout Christian and feel irritated by xmas, you really should read the article link I posted on an earlier post... becuase it explains the historical context in details.
Embrace 'xmas', and instead teach people what its true origins are.... ancient roman & greek Christians... In doing that (as I'm attempting right now), you literally are putting the 'Christ' back in Christmas

Message edited 11/29/2007 10:50:24 AM.

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

Posted by racheeeee

It doesn't bother me but I hate when Christina calls herself Xtina.

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

Posted by LInative

Posted by racheeeee

It doesn't bother me but I hate when Christina calls herself Xtina.

LOL _ i feel the same!!

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

i love XMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

Yes, it annoys me.

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

Although I've read the background on it and realize its not taking out the "christ" it still bothers me.

I think it looks ugly...and well, its something I can't quite explain. I still view it as the removal of "Christ" from the day...to me it somehow makes it seem less religious and less important when "xmas" is typed.

But I don't get overly offended...b/c I don't think people mean anything by it really. I just always am sure to type out the full word.

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

I prefer Xmas, since I am atheist, but want to celebrate Santa and the winter solstice.

Re: Does it annoy you when people dont keep the "Christ" in Christmas?

Yes to no end.
It also bothers me when the christmas tree is called the holiday tree.I would never dream of insulting another persons religion or change the name of something which holds fond memories for them.
The problem is Christmas has been taken over by the stores,and the message of what it really means is watered down.