Xmas

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Xmas. For many of us the word represents the commercialization of the Christmas season. In our minds, the title seems like yet another attempt to erase Jesus from our culture and traditions. So, we respond with reminders and calls to, ‘Keep Christ in Christmas!’

But did you know the word has actually been around for centuries? It predates shopping malls, the modern idea of Santa, even those red holiday cups from Starbucks (wink). Did you know it originally had its roots in Christianity? That’s right. The ‘X’ in Xmas represents the Greek letter ‘chi’ which is the first letter of the word ‘Christos,’ meaning ‘God’s Anointed or Chosen One.’

Now, I’m not saying that followers of Christ should adopt the ancient, abbreviated title. But I do want to remind you (and myself) that there is something behind the X, an incredible, unthinkable truth. The long awaited, promised Messiah who would rescue God’s people from sin and death has come here. Not only that, the long awaited, promised King is coming again!