From the desk of Steve Shultz:
We've heard much controversy from using the term "Xmas" over the years... BUT there is a true meaning to it. I appreciate Rob Hotchkin taking the time to research the meaning of the word and shedding some light on it for the rest of us.
Patricia King shares a brief intro below.
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Rob Hotchkin:
Who Put the X in Xmas?
A Note from Patricia King: Have you ever wondered where the term "Xmas" came from? Do you believe that someone who wanted to take "Christ" out of Christmas created it? Then read this article by our own Rob Hotchkin. You may be very surprised to find out what that X in Xmas really stands for, and why we at XP Ministries find the historical abbreviations "X" and "XP" to be very interesting and Christ-honoring.
Patricia King
XP Ministries (Extreme Prophetic Ministries)
Who Put the X in Xmas?
As the Christmas holiday is fast approaching, an annual event is beginning to take place. And no, I don't mean the exchange of presents, roasting chestnuts on an open fire, or office parties. I mean the rallying cry of many who say, "Let's keep 'Christ' in 'Christmas!'"
This time of year is a wonderful opportunity to see the whole world rejoicing over how our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ manifested in the earth so all people could be restored to relationship with our Heavenly Father. And just as when the wise men came to focus on the newborn Savior and lavish Him with their attention and gifts, I believe with all my heart that Jesus Christ should be the focus of the Christmas holiday today. I enjoy all the decorations, all the carols, and yes, even all the gifts. But I see each of them simply as an opportunity to celebrate Him who has given the greatest gift of all – our salvation! He is worthy of all worship. Christ is truly the reason for the season!
Having said all that, you may be surprised that I occasionally have abbreviated Christmas by writing "Xmas." Recently I wrote a promo email for our ministry making mention of "Xmas." Some wrote responses to let us know that they did not appreciate the use of the abbreviation "Xmas." In their mind, it took the "Christ" out of "Christmas." I love and appreciate anybody who is willing to stand up for our Jesus, so I was grateful that these folks took the time to share their concerns. You may be one who also feels that the abbreviation "Xmas" is a secular attempt to take "Christ" out of Christmas. But you know what? The term "Xmas" seems to have an origin that is actually all about Christ.
Xmas is All About Christ
The third century Church used the Greek Letters Chi ("X") and Rho ("P") – the first two letters in the Greek speaking of the word "Christ," and sometimes "X" by itself to represent Christ. In religious art of the Renaissance and Medieval periods it was quite common to see these intertwined letters "X" and "P" in paintings of Christ. It is believed that this is the origin of the use of the letter "X" in "Xmas."
Online encyclopedia articles explain more:
The word "Christ" and its compounds, including "Christmas," have been abbreviated in English for at least the past 1,000 years... "Christ" was often written as "XP" or "Xt"... This X and P arose as the uppercase forms of the Greek letters χ and ρ used in ancient abbreviations for Χριστος (Greek for "Christ"), and are still widely seen in many Eastern Orthodox icons depicting Jesus Christ. The labarum, an amalgamation of the two Greek letters, is a symbol often used to represent Christ in Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Christian Churches.
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) and the OED Supplement have cited usages of "X" or "XP" for "Christ" as early as 1485. The terms "Xpian" and "Xtian" have also been used for "Christian." The dictionary further cites usage of "Xtianity" for "Christianity" from 1634. According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage, most of the evidence for these words comes from "educated Englishmen who knew their Greek."
The historical use of "Xmas" then seems to have been to represent and even recognize Christ as the focal point of Christmas – since anyone who would have used the term "Xmas" would have known Greek and known the "X" was for "Christ," not a secular replacement for Him. So the "X" in "Xmas" was not an attempt to take Christ out of "Christmas," but simply another way of honoring and recognizing Him. The challenge, however, comes in these modern days when the term "Xmas" is still used even though not everyone is aware of the Greek roots of the usage of "X, "XP," and "Xt" to represent "Christ."
I love Christ. And I love having Christmas be all about Him – the Savior, King, and Lord of all! I say let's keep "Christ" in "Christmas" – and in "Xmas" – by keeping Him in our hearts and our minds as we share His love, light, and truth with all those around us!
Enjoy celebrating Him to the fullest this holiday season. A Merry "Christmas," "Xmas," and even "XPmas" to you all!
Robert Hotchkin
XP Ministries (Extreme Prophetic Ministries)
Email: rob@xpmedia.com
About Rob Hotchkin: Rob ministers with Patricia King and Extreme Prophetic. He fervently believes every Christian is a miracle-working explosion of the Kingdom waiting to happen. His preaching, teaching, and ministry inspires Believers to grab hold of their restored relationship with the Father through the finished work of the Cross and walk the earth as Jesus did – destroying every work of darkness everywhere they go! Rob is a passionate lover of Jesus Christ and that passion is truly contagious! He ministers with strong faith, releasing revelation, prophetic decrees, healings, miracles, and the love of God. He is a true carrier of the glory and revival. People have been healed, refreshed, set free, and empowered through his life. He believes for Heaven to impact lives and regions everywhere he goes.
