It is a common misconception that X-MAS as a substitute for Christmas is somehow a slap in the face to CHRISTIANITY. Actually, the "X" in X-mas is not "X" as in "solve for X the unknown variable" or "X as in X-men" it is "X' as in the symbol pictured here. Two greek letters, Chi (X) and Rho (p) were combined together to make Chi-Rho the symbol for Christ. While there is a certain secularization going on in America with Happy Holidays and Happy Kwanzaa replacing Christmas, and the X-mas form seems to play into that, it is really not secular.
Back in the days when you could get crucified for looking cross eyed at the Emperor of Rome, Christians had to hide their religion for everyone yet have some way to identify themselves to other Christians. It usually involved drawing a fish or a cross or even a Chi-Rho in the dirt with a stick and if the other guy was a Christian too you could proceed from there. If you got no response you rubbed out the crude dirt drawing with your foot and moved on. The "X" has been an acceptable replacement for the cross for centuries. Now for an interesting story about just how much the X is associated with Christ.
The word kike was born on Ellis Island when Jewish immigrants who were there were also illiterate (or could not use Latin alphabet letters), when asked to sign the entry-forms with the customary 'X,'* refused, because they associated an X with the cross of Christianity, and instead made a circle. The Yiddish word for 'circle' is kikel (pronounced KY-kul), and for 'little circle,' kikeleh (pronounced ky-kul-uh). Before long the immigration inspectors were calling anyone who signed with an 'O' instead of an 'X' a kikel or kikeleh or kikee or, finally and succinctly, kike.
True story: Tuesday afternoon, my dental assistant asked a mid-30's-ish Jewish patient if she was enjoying the holidays. The patient snapped back that she was Jewish, that she didn't celebrate Christmas--note that Christmas wasn't initially mentioned.
ReplyDeleteYesterday morning, I checked a patient in hygiene and admittedly did a little profiling: White, Southern female, "Gentile" last name. I said, "Merry Christmas." But although I have a reception area that is tastefully, yet lightly appointed with Xmas decorations, she busted my chops because I didn't have a Christmas tree. She also complained that I didn't have Xmas music playing in the reception area, although it was being piped throughout the rest of the office.
Then, right before lunch, upon finishing a restorative procedure, a Jewish lady in her early '70's wished me a "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."
After lunch, my equipment repair guy finished a small a job, and I again did some profiling: White, Southern male in his '50's--I got this one, right? Me: "Have a Merry Christmas." Him: "Ah, man, thanks, but I don't celebrate Christmas, I'm a Jehovah's Witness."
Funny, huh?
Now here's a revolutionary idea: How's about we all just support and acknowledge others' ways of celebrating this time of year, that no matter what the origins, has evolved into a time of fellowship and giving? Your thoughts?
Tim