You’ve probably heard the phrase “Keep Christ in Christmas,”. The idea is always the same: let’s not rub out the religious roots of this holiday by saying “Xmas,” instead of Christmas.
But, should we really make much noise about this? Is the use of Xmas instead of Christmas a real threat to our faith? The following explanation will help you to stay on the right side and focus on what matters most at Christmas.
First of all, As Christians, we should be careful of how we interpret things. Reading unnecessary meaning into things will not take us anywhere (as most are conspiracy theories)
A conspiracy theory is a theory that rejects the standard explanation for an event and instead credits a covert/secret group or organization with carrying out a secret plot. It is majorly a product of insecurity, but we should be secure in our faith.
So, where did the X in Xmas come from, and what does it mean?
I like you to understand that the word Christmas itself comes from the combination of the words ‘Christ’ and ‘mass.’ But today we see Xmas written nearly everywhere, from holiday advertisements to Christmas cards.
In the early fourth century, Constantine the Great, Roman Emperor from 306-337, popularized this shorthand for Christ. According to legend, on the eve of his great battle against Maxentius, Constantine had a vision that led him to create a military banner emblazoned with the first two letters of Christ on it: chi and rho.
In the Greek alphabet, X is the symbol for the letter ‘chi.’ Chi (or X) is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ. In the early days of the Christian church, Christians used the letter X as a secret symbol to indicate their membership in the church to others.
So, in the Greek meaning of X; Xmas and Christmas essentially mean the same thing: Christ + mas = Christmas.
This shouldn’t be an issue for every person of understanding. But for me and in my opinion, I will prefer the use of Christmas to drive home the reason for the season, especially to those who don’t understand. And I will advise you to do the same.
But here is what is most important;
What should we celebrate about Christmas?
My answer is, we should celebrate the significance of the coming of Jesus into the world. Let’s look at the announcement made by the angels about the birth of Jesus;
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN.
… And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. (Luk 2:10-17 KJV)
From verse 14, we can extract two great things worth celebrating.
- We should celebrate the release of peace on earth
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven. (Col 1:20 KJV)
Jesus also said…
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
(Joh 14:27 KJV)
One reason why you should be celebrating this season is that the peace of the Lord is available to everyone who believes. It doesn’t matter what is happening in the world, we have peace with God and can experience peace in our lives.
- Goodwill towards men
At Christmas, we remember and celebrate the restoration of God’s goodwill to men. We are no longer in the judgement book of God, but in His mercy book
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (Eph 2:4 KJV)
These should be our focus as we celebrate this year’s Christmas
What should be our attitude this season?
- Worship: In Matt 2:11, the Bible says concerning the wise men from the east…
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him:…. (Mat 2:11a KJV)
And in Heb 1:6, the bible says,…
And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. (Heb 1:6 KJV)
I like you to take some time out this season to worship God by rededicating your life to Him and praising Him in recognition of all He has done.
- Give/share – Matt 2:11
After the wise men saw Jesus, the bible recorded that …and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. (Mat 2:11b KJV)
In the illustration of Jesus concerning the final judgement in Matthew 25, He made it known that whatever you do for His people is indirectly done to Him.
In verse 40 He said, “The king (Jesus) will answer them, ‘I can guarantee this truth: Whatever you did for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did for me.’ (Mat 25:40 GW)
I like you to reach out to someone this season. It doesn’t matter how little your effort may be, Jesus said that it will never go unnoticed
- Proclaim it: The bible said concerning the wise men after they saw Jesus in Luke 2:17……And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. (Luk 2:17 KJV)
This season presents us with the opportunity to spread the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to everyone around us. I like you to use every opportunity available to you to proclaim the good news of Jesus.
I pray that this shall be the best Christmas ever for you in Jesus’ name. All your heart desires shall be granted you in Jesus name
Shalom!