I wish people would use Cmas, at least, instead of Xmas..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xmas

I have heard that and that made "Xmas" a valid, respectful way to refer to Christmas. But in today's society the X is simply a way to avoid the word Christ and shorten the name for economical reasons (signs, printing tags and cards, etc.). I object to it because the X is not used in the respectful way of old but as a way to commercialize the season. There has been a concerted effort to erase Christ from Christmas so that it can become a season for frenzied spending and conspicuous consumption, not a season of joy and good will.

Sid, thanks for the reference. I know the X began as a legitimate and respectful part of Christmas but it is no longer used that way. That's my objection--not the X itself, but the lack of sentiment behind it. I am proposing the C instead of X to try to bring back the reason we celebrate Christmas, at least to some people that might adopt it and spread the idea around.

Merchants shorten it for signs and tags and less letters mean less money. People shorten it just for convenience. Replacing X with C is an act of respect. You're right, it really wouldn't hurt anyone to do so and would be respectful. Have a very happy Christmas, Green Moo!

And to you too. Peace, joy, and everything that matters.

You are so funny! There is a growing number of people that don't eat Turkey on Thanksgiving. "Tofurkey" is a tofu turkey that is selling fairly well here!

Sorry about the typos... lack of sleep.

I wondered what that was in parentheses but assumed it represented Greek and you could not think of the letters! You're right, it is different in different countries and the X used to mean something but what I'm objecting to is that it is now used as a convenience and to make the day generic--so that they can sell more merchandise. Thank you for bringing some very interesting information to this discussion! I hope you have a wonderful, happy Christmas!

the exact name would be "Hristougenna" in Greek language, where "Hristou" comes from Hristos and means Christ (see the similarity with Romanian language for Hristos) and "genna" comes from the verb "gennamai" which means to (give) birth in Greek.

It seams mylot did not recognize the Greek language :D That is what was written in brackets. Anyway I just wanted to add (because I saw above someone saying X comes from Christ) in Romanian we use both forms for the Son of God: "Cristos" and "Hristos" and both are used in various religious psalms and stories.

It's good to hear that you respect the name and meaning of Christmas. Have a happy one this year!

Hiya dragon, Many thanks dragon hope you are having a really good Christmas too. This Year they are celebrating Boxing Day here but only as a Holiday a temporary one. Right now I am cooking a leg of Lamb and I have to keep my eyes peeled on that as the electricity here is quite bad sometimes it could go off without me knowing it. All in all have a really good time whatever you are doing.xxx

Many people don't celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday and that's fine with me. But demeaning it by replacing Christ with X is not okay. We don't put an X in Hanukkah or Ramadan but that's only because those holidays don't lend themselves to commercialization and greed. Thank you for respecting my idea.

I agree that Christmas is too commercialized these days.Many people take it as the way to make a fortune.

It's good to know that others feel as I do. Happy Christmas to you!

You are guilty of nothing! Xmas is a proper way to shorten Christmas. Look it up. It is not disrespectful in any way! People need to do their research before they get all in a hubbub about things like this.

I thank you! I know that most people mean no disrespect when they do it because commercialism has programmed us to do it that way but it's always been a thorn in my side. Not many things really bother me but this has for years and years. It's nice to know that at least I'm reaching a few people. God bless you and have a very happy Christmas!

X was the Greek letter for Christ and it used to be used as a respectful abbreviation. But you're right, retail latched onto it and used to to replace the sentiment with greed. And that's mainly what I object to--robbing us of the meaning of Christmas and replacing sentiment with greed. Happy Christmas to you!

I understand why you would get upset. I feel kind of ganged up on, too, sometimes. Those who don't believe are a lot like the fundamentalists who feel they have to preach and convert. Both are extremists who have no consideration or respect for people. Hatley, you have a happy, blessed Christmas! I'll think of you while I enjoy a piece of birthday cake with Him.

It's become an easy holiday to hate because it has turned into what you said--a financial drain, an almost forced obligation, a dangerous time to be on the roads and a time of stress. I enjoy giving gifts but it has really gotten out of hand. When I was little we got one gift from Santa, a tradition I continued with my own children. We saved our allowances to get little things for Mom and Dad and the grandparents. It had meaning, there was sacrifice and gratification plus a candlelight service on Christmas Eve. Now it's just commercial. I was hoping that replacing X with C would at least bring a little more meaning to it. I've heard that He was likely born in the spring, when the gov't was likely to make the people come to pay their taxes. Shepherds were in the fields, which they would not be if it was winter. And summer here is winter over there. Don't stress, Bunny! Enjoy Christmas as much as possible in your safe haven of home. I hope your Christmas is wonderful!

Yes, in the past the X had meaning. Now it is used to remove the meaning and make it a commercial event. Happy Christmas to you!

A couple of people here have mentioned that X is the Greek letter that means Christ. Xmas was quite common a hundred years ago when Christmas was still a holy day. But the X has become meaningless, another way to promote crass commercialism and turn a holy day into a day for conspicuous consumption. I don't object to the X so much as the lack of meaning behind it, which is why I propose that if one must abbreviate they use C instead of X.

I think all religions should be respected and not demeaned like replacing Christ with X. I wish you a very blessed Christmas!

To that, i totally agree, my friend. Happy New Year !

Who says it is not true anymore? Who says it's used to make people forget the meaning of Christmas? Most people I know who use Xmas are religious people who love Christmas and celebrate the meaning behind it. Xkah and Xadan doesn't make sense because the X in this case stands for Christ. I guess we will just have to agree to disagree.

And any Christian that is OFFENDED by Xmas obviously does not know the true meaning of the X. People are too easily offended in this world.

That used to be true but not anymore. The X is now used as a convenience and a way to make people forget the true meaning of the holiday so that they will spend money they don't have and put money in the pockets of businesses. The X is no longer a holy symbol but is put there in an effort to make Christmas a non-religious holiday of gift giving. Of course, anyone can use any abbreviation they choose because it is a free country. I'm just asking for Cmas as a gesture of respect for my religion. You would certainly not think to refer to Ramadan as Xadan or Hanukkah as Xkah, would you? No, you would be offending those religions so why willfully offend Christians? Just a thought. I hope you have a blessed Christmas however you celebrate it.

That is so true!!! If the US made it so they couldn't get welfare or jobs without the proper identification and citizenship, there'd be no reason for them to even sneak in!

I am disgusted that a teacher would spread lies like that!! No matter what our immigration problems are, the fault lies not with the invaders but with our protectors that refuse to protect our borders. I'm glad you are having a talk with the principal--the world has enough hate in it without "educators" spreading more. When I was in my 20's I lived hand to mouth. I could not afford a "good" neighborhood and so rented a little cabin in a "bad" neighborhood where I was living in the Southwest. I was just about the only white person there in a place populated by Mexicans. I could not have had better neighbors!! Strong family values, deeply spiritual, these people watched out for me and extended me every courtesy. They valued honor, integrity and God. One time when a man was bothering me when I came home from work one night I found half a dozen strong young men coming to my defense. At least Mexicans know what is valuable in their lives. I know there are Mexican gangs and all that but things like that affect all cultures. I wish that teacher would take the time to get to know people and different cultures--she (or he) might have a degree in education but doesn't know much. Willful ignorance like that infuriates me.

Yes, it has. That is why it's so important to hold the values that are important to us and pass them on to our kids. I see parents stressing out and going broke to put all these expensive things under the tree. It's such a stressful time for so many that you have to wonder how they could possibly enjoy it. I mean if that's what they want for their holidays to be then they should go for it but I have to think many of them buy that thought because they feel obligated to. I love every aspect of Christmas. I even love the gift part. I love picking out gifts for others that I think they will like. I understand how someone could get into that thought of feeling that they want to or should do more. I battle that feeling at times but in the end ...it's not what it's all about. I stick to what I have to spend and plan carefully before I go out shopping. I remember one of my girls handing me a list and then getting all frustrated because she got very little on her list. She was young but knew that I was "Santa". I told her that I don't do lists. I glanced at her list for some ideas but in the end, that is MY fun..going around shopping to surprise them. And I added that it should be HER fun too...that element of surprise is what makes it so fun. As she got older she agreed that she loved the surprise factor.

Hi, Sid! Yes, it was very helpful and I read something like that years ago when I was trying to find out why the X replaced Christ. The X used to mean something, way back then, but no more. It's just commercialized now, which is why I proposed using C for abbreviating. It's not just Christmas, though--everything in life has become corrupted and commercialized and greedy. Have a wonderful, happy Christmas!

I do not object to it in a religious context, RitterSport. The reason I object to it is because it is no longer used respectfully but as an abbreviation that takes the meaning out of Christmas. Several people have referenced the factual basis of the X but they are not taking into account that commercial interests have perverted it in such a way that it makes the holy day a generic occasion preceded by a frenzy of shopping and one-upmanship. Ask any random person on the street what Christmas means to them today and probably 75% will mention gifts and parties--the X has been used to banish anything spiritual and replace it with materialism. That's why I propose "C-Mas", to try to bring back some of the real meaning. People would not feel so empty and let down after Christmas if they celebrated it as a birthday and not as a gifting day. Commercialism has brainwashed the people and "X" has proven an effective tool.

its no less commercial over here in good old Germany for sure. You buy stuff others wont need or use just cause you have to meet social expectations. You write a ton of cards which are not really read and appreciated, yet you are anxious to cut some people off your Christmas List though it would be more honest to do that. Plus I never understood why Christmas Gifts have to be really expensive stuff and you will spend hundreds of Euros or in your case Dollars cause only high priced stuff is considered a gift and you got to keep up with whom ever to be able to brag.

X, as others have pointed out, was the Greek letter for Christ and widely accepted for a long time. Then the retailers latched onto it and used it to help make people forget it was a day of love and generosity and good spirits and convinced people that they needed to spend, spend, spend--even if they could not afford it. I do like C-mas better if someone wants to skip a few letters. Happy Christmas to you!

Thank you. I think all religious holidays of all cultures should be respected and not demeaned as they have Christmas. Have a wonderful new year!