Thursday, December 15, 2005

X-Mass???

From EWTN;

How and when did the use of X-Mas in the place of Christmas get started?

Generally, the term X-mas has negative connotations today owing to its rather frequent use as a kind of secular euphemism for Christmas. The historical origins of the word, however, are found in the Greek for Christ (Kristos, Xristos). Early printers in the West adopted the X as an abbreviation for Christ to save a little money on the typesetting. The usage found wider acceptance and Xmas has been used by earnest Christians ever since.

While this origin of the term points to intentions that were entirely respectful, many of the current uses are far from rooted in good intentions.

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