Sunday, December 25, 2005
Christmas or X-Mas?
Christmas or X-Mas? I guess it doesn't matter if you are familiar with the Greek word fish which is Ichthys (IXOYE) . The fish symbol was used by the early Christians as a code to avoid persecution. The acronym stands for: I- Jesus, X-Christ, O-God's, Y-Son and E-Savior. So X-Mas would still translate to Christ-Mas.
But why shorten it and replace the name that is the reason for the season. Only a few are knowledgeable that the "X" in the Greek word represents Christ. To the majority "X" represents censorship, a delete. So a sign that says Merry X-Mas just translates to commercialism. It sends a sublimal message that reinforces what the majority of us do this time of the year: shopping and more shopping.
Even in greetings "Christmas" is going the way of X-Mas. In our time when one should be conscious of what is politically correct the "correct" greeting is "Happy Holidays" lest you offend somebody when you say "Merry Christmas". Why? I don't get the logic or ethical reason behind it. You celebrate somebody's birthday and yet you are not suppose to mention his name during the occasion? Some would say it has to do with other people's belief. I understand that but I don't take offense when they celebrate or practice their belief. I give them my utmost respect and majority of them reciprocates the same way.
As always the "noisy" minority dictates what should be the norm and us, the "silent" majority keeps mum hence we are dictated upon.
As for me I would just like to greet everybody A Merry Christmas !! Let us not forget that Christ is the Reason for the Season. Happy Birthday...
