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STAN - Any reason why we should not use the abreviation "Xmas" when we are writing about Christmas?
JOEL - The word "Xmas" is popularly associated with a trend towards materialism, and sometimes the target of people who decry the emergence of general “holiday” observance instead of particular cultural and religious ritual. Many Christians feel it is a way for the secular world to take Christ out of the Holiday season we celebrate His birth. However, the two Greek letters that look like X and P are called “Chi” (pronounced “kai”) and “Rho” (pronounced “row”) respectively. When combined into “XP” they form the first part of the name Christ. In Greek “XP”=”Chi-Rho”=”Chr”. Therefore, putting an X in place of Christ in Christmas, is not crossing Christ out of the word. Its simply abbreviating the name of Christ with the greek letters for “Ch.” Many also equate the use of the letter X with the cross that Christ hung on. The tradition of using Xmas instead of Christmas dates back to the 12th century. But not everybody knows the history of this, so it's probably a good idea to refrain from using the abbreviated word "Xmas", just to support the idea of keeping Christ in Christmas and showing respect for our Savior.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie said:
"Since the letter X has been accepted as an abbreviation for Christ, it is not uncommon to find Christmas abbreviated as Xmas, Christian as Xn or Xtian, and Christianity as Xty. These abbreviations do not partake of the real spirit of reverence that should attend a reference to Deity, or to something closely associated with him, and accordingly their use should be discouraged." (Mormon Doctrine)
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