by Marie-Therese Belisle Nweke
Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 10:25 AM
“Xmas” or “Christmas”? What is the difference between the two expressions? Or, are they the same? Let us take a look at the difference between the words “Christmas” and “Xmas”:
“CHRISTMAS” is the combination of two words: “Christ” and “Mass.”
Before Christ was born, thousands of years ago, the 25th December used to be a pagan’s day for sacrifices. However, in the year 533 AD, Constantine, the head of the then Roman Church, which is today the Roman Catholic Church, changed the date from a pagan’s day of sacrifices to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. All Christians believe that Christ is the long-prophesied Messiah, is the Son of God, and the greatest and ultimate sacrifice to save a sin-filled world, and for those saved through Him to be finally united with God. Thus, Constantine called the day “THE MASS FOR CHRIST” or “CHRISTMAS.”
“CHRIST” in Hebrew means “The Anointed One” or “The Chosen One.” The word “MAS” in Greek means “a large gathering of people”. Therefore, “Christmas” means the gathering of the people of Christ, who are His disciples and followers.
Then, from where did the expression “X-MASS” emerge? Beware! It is believed that after the day of gathering of all Christ’s followers, Christmas became so famous, respected and celebrated throughout the world, that atheists, secularists, humanists and certain religious cults decided to undermine or try to eradicate it by removing the name “Christ” and instituting “X” to mean “there is no Christ”. The instant interpretation of “X-MASS”, is that “there is no gathering of Christ’s followers”. Therefore, it is imperative that the greatest day in the Christian calendar must be referred to as “Merry or Happy Christ-mas” and not “Merry or Happy X-mas”.
“X” is often used to designate a person, thing or factor whose true name is either unknown or withheld.
“X” has nothing to do with “Christ, the Anointed One”. Therefore, one should never replace “Christ” with an “X”. Hence, if one is a Christian, it is a serious misconception to use the expression “Xmas” instead of “Christmas”. Many people may have made this error over the years, using what they had assumed was a shortened form, and wishing people, “Merry Xmas” or “Happy Xmas”; but this was and is wrong, and thus misconceived. So – “Happy Christmas to you!”