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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
There are many who view the word Xmas as part of an overall "war on Christmas." They view it as a blatant attempt to take Christ out of Christmas. While it is undeniable that some use Xmas in that ...
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Jennifer Rothnie
Supporter
No, it is not 'wrong'. One can say "Merry Christmas", "Merry Xmas", "Happy Holidays", "Have a good day", "God Bless You", "Happy Snow Days", or whatever polite personal greeting you feel is appropriate that time of year. It is a matter that is up to your own conscience and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Do you feel that it is disrespectful to say X-Mas? Then say Christmas instead. Do you feel it is disrespectful to say Christmas or Xmas? Then say Happy Holidays, or use another alternative like "God Bless You". No specific phrase is commanded by God, or specifically banned by God. However, one should take care not to force a personal conviction onto others. Whether another person says "Merry Christmas", "Happy Xmas", "Happy Tree Day", "Happy Holidays", or nothing at all - don't treat them as a lesser Christian or freak out that they are attacking Christ. Also, do not purposefully use your favorite phrase to goad a fellow believer if you find out that they disapprove of it. Take the example of 1 Cor 8:1-13 and act with grace and love. Don't tempt another person to change their ways just because you disapprove - you may be tempting them to sin against the Holy Spirit by asking them to do what they are convicted is wrong. As S. Michael Houdmann mentioned, XMas and Christmas actually mean the same thing. Christmas is short for "Christ-Mass". 'Mass' is a latin term (Missa -dismissal). For the Catholics, the Mass is equivalent to the sacrifice of Calvary and involves the worship of the eucharist (communion ceremony). Some Christians today, disliking the connotations of the original 'mass' term, instead treat the 'mass' portion of Christmas as a call to be missionaries sent into the world. The celebration of Christmas became mandated by the Roman Empire in the 5th century. We are not bound under the Roman Catholic church to keep it, or use its terminology. We are free in Christ to keep it just as an holiday like a birthday or St. Patrick's day, but we should take care not to teach it as a requirement, a commandment of God, a holiday set up by God, etc. We should also take care that our choices reflect love and unity with the brethren. Which will an unbeliever be more persuaded towards Christ by?- that we always say 'Merry Christmas', or that we are pleasant and loving towards others even when we disagree? Will they be more persuaded by an opulent display of wreaths and musical lights, or by a gracious heart that esteems others before self? In the end, our personal choice of greeting - indeed the choice of holidays we keep or not, are minor matters. When we chose to follow Christ, we did not sign on to a new list of rules and traditions that we should keep to show others just what "good christians" we are. Rather, we were freed from sin and we died to our very selves. What matters now is growing in our personal relationship with Christ, working together in unity with the Church, and sharing the Good News with a lost world.
DEAN R. DONAHUE
When I look back at the many Christmas' spent with my family, my most prominent memory was the placing of a Nativity collection that my mom had created in an arts and crafts class. Each figure was painted with the utmost detail and were a focal point in our living room. I loved that set and learned the story of Our Lords birth from it. We always would have a Christmas tree and atop of it, a shining star signifying the star of Bethlehem. It was a simple time where tradition seemed to trump all ridicule of it's supposed pagan origin. Yes, there was Santa Claus, but Mom made sure Baby Jesus was the main focus. I remember one Christmas our neighbors across the street placed a banner across their garage door.....MERRY X-MAS. My mom was furious and let us kids know how disrespectful the banner was. The folks living there seemed like nice people and I am sure they meant no harm, yet that banner gave my mom a reason to teach us kids a reverence for the holiday bearing Christ's name. I know December 25th is not Jesus' birthday. I know a tree brought into the house and ordained with silver is frowned upon by many Christians. I know that Christmas has become a commercial nightmare and that Santa Claus is it's number one sales person. But I came from a simpler origin where not everything said and done is a conspiracy to confound Christianity. I hate to see the term "X-mas" upon any display or greeting. I find it sad that the meaning of such an innocent celebration could be so easily vilified. Yet, the ignorance of the "X" gives us who know the meaning of the season, reason to celebrate what we believe concerning Jesus' birth. So, should Christians use the term "X-mas? Should Christians celebrate Christmas at all? Should we purchase gifts just for the sake of this commercial "holy-day"? What should a good Christian do? I for one will still place my nativity scene atop my fireplace mantel. I will place a star atop an evergreen tree and I will light my home with Christmas lights. I will place gifts under the tree and celebrate Christmas just as my Mom taught us kids to do so. But I will never abbreviate Christ's name to an "X". The reason for the season is Christ. To abbreviate anything concerning His birth or His Mission on earth is folly. Even though we well read Christians know better, why not take advantage of a kinder spirit found at Christmas? I for one will defend singing "Silent Night" anywhere this harsh world prohibits it. I want my grand-children to celebrate with me, so they too can learn the story and the reason "CHRIST" is the focus of this holiday. I was once told to beware of "Generation X". I doubt this was the reason why, however, the times, the laws, and the nature of man have certainly caused the faithful to sigh with dis-belief. What was once a spirit filled and joyous season for families has become a web of discourse and doubt. Dean Donahue, Show Low, Arizona
Billy P Eldred
My personal opinion is "Why would you? The more the world sees the name Christ, the better the world will be. Regardless of intent, replacing "Christ" in the word Christmas is indeed removing or replacing Christ name from Christmas. As a Christian, we, I believe, should honor the tradition of celebrating Christ birth. The fact He was not born on December 25th has no bearing. We should celebrate Christ at every opportunity especially on a day set aside in His honor. So EVERY time I will ever write the word Christmas, His name will remain. My final comment is that this applies to Christians. If the world removes his name and we as Christians make them feel uncomfortable about it, that will turn them away more than lead them to Christ.
Barry Skaggs
Supporter
I have, for years, underlined the first six letters of the word Christmas every time I use the term in written form. My goal is to emphasize the name of our Savior. He was born. He did live an exemplary, perfect life, and He did die a voluntary, substitutionary, atoning death. He now reigns with God the Father, in Heaven; and He will return one day. We ought to seek every opportunity to elevate, emphasis and praise His name!
KEITH SLOUGH
Since xmas is NOT Christ's birthday, we should keep His name out of this Roman holiday which was originally the birthday of the sun god anyway. I prefer xmas over putting the name of our Lord and Saviour in this pagan holiday -- which God condemns (Jeremiah 10:1-3).
Dale Richardson
Christmas should not matter to Protestants. It is pagan festival called yul which just had the pagan names replaced by Christian names. Jesus was not born in December it was more like September/October. December 25 is the date commemorating the birth of the sun god Tammuz. So, it doesn't matter what people say it isn't about Christ when you look at how Christmas is run. Christ lived a life of self-sacrifice and had the humblest of births, Christmas doesn't reflect that. It is all about material goods and people drive themselves into debt. That does not honor Christ. There is no mention of any command to observe the birth of Christ. Also, even in the 'nativity scene' it teaches things that are not true. The wise men were not present in the day that Christ was born. So whether people say merry Xmas or Christmas doesn't matter one iota.
Maurice Harris
There's nothing wrong with saying Christmas, neither X-mas. The meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the service of Christ. Just like 'hallelujah' means Praise the Lord. So I believe Christmas should be celebrated every day, with praises of the Lord, and not just once a year for the pagan holiday. Is December 25 the birthday of Christ? No. Should a true believer and child of God put a tree with decorations into there homes? No. Should we celebrate other pagan Gods (Easter, Santa ex)? No. The Holy Bible forbids all these traditional acts and states that they are an abomination all over the Bible including Jeremiah 10, Exodus 20, and other books, chapters, and verses. God bless.
Ed Besselman
I have always looked at the word "XMAS" as someone in business too cheap or too lazy to spell out the word "CHRISTMAS". Now, as a believer, I believe that it is a way to eliminate the LORD Jesus Christ from being honored for His incarnation. Remember... "X" is something that is unknown. Like "x-ray". They didn't know what they were. Jesus is God incarnate. Born of a virgin. Sinless sacrifice. Buried and risen from the dead to prove His sacrifice was accepted by God the Father on your behalf and my behalf. And now sits at the right hand of the Father... ever living to make intercession for us. You can greet me with what you want... I will respond... Merry CHRISTmas!
Cat Robertson
I don't believe Christ was born in December, but since we don't know exactly when He was born I don't feel it's wrong to celebrate on December 25~as long as you're honoring Christ and not just buying into the 'must buy gifts' mindset. We don't know which date He was born, so who's to say when we should or should not celebrate? As long as we remember the reason for the season, I see no problem with celebrating this time of year. That's just my humble opinion.
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