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Who REALLY Took the "Christ"
Out of
"Christmas?"
"Xmas!! How DARE
those atheists take the 'Christ' out of Christmas!"
I should have a nickel for every time I've heard that one.
Okay, let's
get our facts straight: This abbreviation for Christmas is of Greek origin.
The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. 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.
Remember that the average man did not read or write very well, if at
all. 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. So,
no, the atheists and secular humanists had nothing to do with it.
It was entirely a matter between Christian cultures. It's as
simple as that. |
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