The True Meaning of Xmas

This time of year, enter any Protestant Christian Church, and one will often hear how Christ has been taken out of Christmas. We look at the commercialism, and Santa, and how Christmas is abbreviated to Xmas. The problem is, we are looking at the situation all wrong. Christmas is, at it's roots, a pagan holiday. Cultures all around the world have celebrations for the winter solstice, where the days can now gradually become longer again.

In the days of the early Christian church, it wasn't exactly the coolest, or even safest thing to be a Christian. One had to be very careful and not be seen as dramatically different. This, of course, is where we get the fish symbol, an underground symbol of the time. We also, however, find the initial X or the Greek letter "chi" combined with the letter R (Greek "rho"), as a major symbol for Christians. These two Greek letters were the first two letters in Christos (Christ). As time went on, the symbol become just an X and was a specific abbreviation for Christ, Christian, Christmas, etc. Since this symbol became part of Constantine's official standard, we know that it was not a lazy or even obvious effort to remove Christ. Instead, like the fish, it was a symbol that Christians were proud to display.

I find it interesting that saying, "Merry Xmas" or "Happy Holidays" is a problem however, when we are not practicing what we preach. If we are celebrating Christ's first coming and all that He has done for us, then shouldn't we be reaching out through our churches on this special holiday? Why then, are so many churches deciding to close their doors this weekend?

American society claims to be predominantly Christian, but I so often think it is only a costumed secular heart. Whatever will make the biggest dollar or draw the biggest crowd or gain the most fame, is what makes the highest priority. If one thinks it will increase his standing, he will even steal a helpless baby penguin. (GIVE TOGA BACK!)

I, for one, am excited to celebrate Xmas. I love the beautiful lights, the fresh pine smell, and the crisp air. I'm glad for a loving family, a warm home, good health for the weekend, and yummy food to celebrate with. I'm excited to be able to share with others rather than just think of myself. And, mostly, I am thankful to praise God for sharing His Son with us.

Yes, Christmas is a pagan holiday, but that doesn't matter. I am proud to be a Xian, and I am happy to celebrate that every day of the year.