I never can figure out why people shorten Merry Christmas to Merry Xmas unless they are trying to save a few strokes of the pen.

It just seems so sacrilegious to take the Christ out of Christmas.

I've even gotten Christmas cards from my beloved auntie wishing me a Merry Xmas.

Is Christmas an brand X?

Ladybug
Sometimes I wonder about that myself. But it's not just the X-mas its the commercializing it with all trhe sales and shopping days.

Everyone should do what my grammy did , shop for christmas gifts all year long and store them in various nooks and cranies in her home.

When she passed away we found gifts that she had picked up at various times she thought would be perfect for the person they were bought for. She made christmas what it should be. A celebration.
My aunt even goes so far as to bake a birthday cake for Christ every year.

Deb

I like the birthday cake for Jesus. On Christmas day at the dinner table I always say Happy Birthday Jesus.

Don't you just "love" it when you see Santa Claus next to the Halloween decorations?

Our Hallmark store holds its annual Christmas ornament premier in July. Guess they think we're gonna knock each other over for that special ornament if they hold the premier in November or early December when it should be.

I remember when I was a kid,I wrote a postcard to a friend and wrote Merry Xmas. My father was going to mail it for me and he happened to see it and made me re-write it with Merry Christmas. He never talked about Jesus or went to church but he knew X-ing out the word Christ was disrespectful. Now that I'm a Christian, I cringe when I see Xmas written anywhere. I bought a lawn sign from the Knights of Columbus that says "Keep Christ in Christmas"...that says it all, huh?

Debi and Lady - in 1989, I gave birth to my 4th. child on Christmas Eve. Obviously, I was in the hospital when my family celebrated on Christmas Day. They videotaped everything for me and I was so happy to see that my SIL had made a cake that said Happy Birthday Jesus, and they lit candles and sang to Him!!

[ November 29, 2005, 01:32 PM: Message edited by: Bluebird ]

How meaningful to have a baby born on Christmas Eve! What a thoughtful thing your family did for you too.

My dad sounds like your dad. He didn't go to church but he was respectful of his religion just the same. There isn't a more honest man on the face of the earth than my dad...maybe husband second.

Vicky's birthday is December 10th. I tell her how lucky she is to be born in such a beautiful month. The glow of love comes not only from all the soft lights but from our hearts as well.

My grandmothers was December 15th

It really bugs me too to see "Merry Xmas", so much so that one Christmas I tried to boycott the stores that had "Xmas" emblazoned all across their windows...but it made shopping almost impossible, and obviously didn't make enough of an impact to make it worth the hassle!! But I did mention it to some of the store managers, and noticed this year that some of those stores have brought back the Merry Christmas banners.

All I can do is my best to keep "Christ" in MY Christmas, e.g., through my Christmas cards and by having a nativity set clearly visible through the season.

We have a lot of Muslim friends, and have asked them if it's offensive if we send them a Merry Christmas card or if they'd prefer a "Season's Greetings" card. All of these friends have said they love being remembered and included in our Christmas celebrations. They cherish all of our respective religious freedoms and are glad to share in the joyfulness of the season. It's interesting that some of the most blatantly Christ-centered Christmas cards we've received have come from our Muslim friends.

Eagle Heart- I agree with you. I cringe everytime I see "Merry Xmas" instead of "Christmas". Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this!

Eagle, I like what you said about keeping Christ in MY Christmas. I also tried to boycott the stores that X out my Lord. Impossible...
I really don't have too many decorations that involve Santa or snowmen. The first thing I set up (after my advent wreath) is my nativity set.
It amazes me that Christians send me cards that say Merry Xmas or have snowmen on them. Are THEY even afraid to acknowledge that the holiday is the birthday of Jesus? He said if we were ashamed to acknowledge Him before men, He would be ashamed to ackowledge us before the Father...

Bluebird...maybe you should let your christian friends know this bothers you. More than likly, they are not even aware of the offense.
If, they are christians I'm sure they are not ashamed of the Lord Jesus. He holds nothing against us in our unawares.

I didn't mean that the cards offended me. I guess I think it is sad, though. Maybe I'm being judgmental. I have to watch that....

Ladybug, that was the most peaceful Christmas I've ever had!! Christmas Eve at the hospital was very quiet and I remember watching midnight Mass from the Vatican or St. Patrick's.
And shock of all shocks, my family managed fine without me!!!

Watching Christmas Eve at the Vatican just does something to me. It comes from deep within and just stirs up very strong feelings.

When the kids were little I read the part of my bible starting at Jesus' birth. I love the Coventry carol and admit it makes me cry. It's the story of King Harod's men searching for Jesus and ordering the soldiers to kill all the first born male children

We have some really great Christmas cards this year. Vicki Hawkins made them. Her website is:

http://nanasnotecards.tripod.com/

Happywife, I have also ordered note cards from Vicki. I got a few sets for my duaghter and her friends. They were precious. I think IVcki's daughter also used her for her wedding invitations. Jawjaw told us about her. How did you learn about her cards? Just curious.

We keep the Christ in Christmas. We have several manger scenes. Some were made by the kids at Advent Festivals and Sunday school. Others have been gifts. They are some of my favorite decorations. I believe I have at least one in every room on the first floor. I pray my children keep Christ in Christmas as they begin to venture out on their own.

I learned about Vicki thru my baby sister. Mary Lee, baby sis, and her hubby are friends with Vicki's brother, BJ. Mary Lee first gave me a set of notecards with Elvis all over them that Vicki had made. As it turns out, Vicki (now not even knowing Mom and Dad) would bring her Daddy to visit with my Daddy who was in the VA home. Vicki didn't even know them, but she would use her day off and drive down from Chattanooga Tenn and visit with my Daddy. How's that for unselfish?

When Vicki's Mom passed away, Mary Lee told me about it. Then a month later, Vicki's husband died and Mary Lee wrote to me and told me. I sent a card to Vicki, and an email. We became friends.

Then, Vicki's daughter, who was pregnant at the time, had a stroke and was somewhat pararlized so Vicki had to quit her full-time job and go part-time so she could help her daughter and son-in-law get thru the pregnancy, and basically to hold the family together. I don't know of a braver woman. The baby was born just fine.

Then last year Vicki's daughter had another child and he is the Brady that we've prayed for, from time to time. Please see "need prayers" for the latest on Brady.

Vicki and I have remained friends and I visited her when Brady was born and of course, cemented our friendship for life. She is a wonderful Christian lady and so full of life and love. She brings the whole world UP when she is around.

If you want to whine, take a look at Vicki's life and be grateful. She is. She's taught me so much!

JJ

I decided to put Vicki's prayer request here because I don't want to cover up Chatty's post about her brother. The pictures she sent me are precious and if anyone wants to see them, they can email me. See below:


My Grandson's surgery has been set for January 12 at 7:30 a.m. at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. We go up the day before for several hours of testing and he'll undergo the open heart surgery the following morning.

It's never too early to start asking for prayers...as much for the family as anyone. Mommy and Daddy are having a pretty rough time, dreading this for their little guy and having been through this with my 29 year old 'baby' I know it isn't easy when one of your children has any kind of surgery, let alone open heart.

He is the sweetest little boy. 5 months now and is such a happy little fella. I'm attaching a picture so you can tell for yourself that I'm not predjudice, haha!! Brady is so precious to us all.

As it gets closer, I'll send out another reminder, but in the meantime, any and all prayers will be appreciated so very much.

Thanks everyone!!
Love ya'll
Vicki

You can count on my prayers for Brady. My 5th. child had open heart surgery at the tender age of 16 hours. Thank God at the time I didn't know exactly what they had to do, but it saved his life and now he is going on 13 and perfectly fine. He is a miracle and I know Brady will be, too!
Peace, Vicki.

Writing X for Christ isn't rude or sacralegious.

X is the Greek word for Christ. It's really just a shorthand way of saying the same thing. Folks might find it personally offensive but it's a matter of personal taste and now what is right or wrong. It's actually correct to write Christmas *OR* Xmas.

Like many, I prefer Christmas but don't get my tights in a twist over Xmas. What REALLY frosts me is "Happy Holidays".

Come on...if it wasn't for CHRISTMAS we wouldn't be having ANY holiday!

Grumble, grumble...

Thistle, I've heard that explanation before and it may be true, but how much longer does it take to write the word Christ? It's only 4 more letters. The reality is there are people who want to keep the commercial aspects of the holiday, but not the religious. That's their business, of course, but we Christians have to remind everyone what the day is about. It's like the Peanuts Christmas cartoon. Charlie Brown hates the trappings of the holiday and yells out "can anyone here tell me what Christmas is all about???" Good old Linus steps up and say "sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you..." and he proceeds to quote right from Luke, chapter 2!
We are Linus!

I also knew that the X is Greek representing the word Christ but I've got to agree with Bluebird on its use.

I don't really like Happy Holidays either but so many people are pushing the "politically correct" agenda that this is what we've come to.

I realize that when I go into a store the clerk who may greet me as I leave with "Happy holidays" isn't trying to offend me. How can a person know my religion after all?

I guess that's why Happy Holidays doesn't bother me, if it's said by person who doesn't know me or my religion. I do understand that there are other holidays around Christmas and that's cool. But I wish the world would respect Christmas for what we believe it is, even if they don't believe or celebrate. I have no problem with Chanukkah or Kwanzaa, evn though I don't celebrate them. I'd be upset if people tried to take away from what those days mean to others.

[ November 30, 2005, 05:55 PM: Message edited by: Bluebird ]

People say "happy holidays" to me often when they know we're Jewish. That's fine with me. although I wouldn't be offended if someone told me "merry Christmas", since my name sounds like I'm French. The good wishes are what is important, no matter what holiday we're celebrating.

I think people who want to neutralize holidays have problems. Christmas is the most important day of the year to my Christian friends and family. I would never take that away from them. We all celebrate together this time of year.

That's why we have elections so we can each vote the way we want to vote.

Xmas offends you, it doesn't offend me.

Happy Holidays offends me; when pushed to use such a phrase, I write, "Happy Holidaze".

Sometimes it's necessary to use words when we're witnessing. The rest of the time, it's our lives in the dock.

I like Happy Holidaze!! Cute...

JJ thanks for your kind gesture but please put her request in the prayer section so everyone sees it. I am sure that all the ladies who have said prayers for my brother has helped but this little guy needs the prayers so much. Please please ladies pray for this little boy, he needs all our prayers now...

Also, I don't like the so called politically correct taking Christ out of Christmas, they have alot of nerve and one day they will all pay the price...

I'm not really offended by the use of Xmas. In truth I just thought well-meaning folks who use it are a tad bit lazy that's all. I'm sure they aren't trying to minimize the meaning of Christmas to any Christians. For me to say they are is a bit extreme. I've often noticed some of the most devout Catholics using it. My former boss is one. She attends mass daily and helps cook at all her church functions. You couldn't meet a nicer, and more sincere Christian. She never has anything even the slightest bit sarcastic to say about anyone. I've always understood that her use of the word Xmas was because she's so busy.

I'm oblivious but I don't even notice of a store uses Xmas or Christmas. I'm so rushed and trying to finish my shopping, I just want to get out of there!

I always thought that X was an early symbol in the christian catacombs to show the way to worship and avoid Roman persecutors. But I may be wrong because I heard it from a nun in catholic school and they told us alot of lies

I remember learning that the early Christians used to draw fishes in the sand with their toes as a secret sign...if the other person saw and drew a fish as well, each of them knew that the other was a Christian. I hadn't heard of the "x" being used this way, but it makes sense that they would since Greek was a prominent language at the time.

Pattyann you made me laugh because I went to Catholic schools from 7th to 12th grade and I know what you mean.

Pattyann and Ladybug, I also went to Catholic school for 8 years and I have to ask in defense of the nuns if they weren't teaching us what they had been taught to believe in convent school? I truly believe these dedicated women believed what they were teaching us. The priests were the masters and to my mind the nuns were treated like second class citizens by the higher archy of men. Maybe with age they learned but as young nuns you could actually feel their devotion to God...Just a thought.