After facing a barrage of criticism from religious groups for neglecting to mention the Christian celebration in its U.S. stores or advertisements last year, the world’s biggest retailer announced yesterday it will rename its seasonal area “The Christmas Shop,” instead of “The Holiday Shop,” play Christmas carols in its stores and increase its overtly Christmas-themed displays by 60% this year.
I used to struggle with the same ban on the word “Christmas” growing up in the public school system. Christmas concerts turned into “Winter Celebrations” and Christmas bake sales morphed into “Holiday” bake sales. I felt like I had to look over my shoulder and make sure no teachers were around everytime I asked my friends about their plans for Christmas. It was a bad word and it wasn’t to be used, and if you had to use it in an essay it was to be spelt with an “X”.
I’m exaggerating of course but you get the idea. Keep “Christ” in Christmas people.
November 19th, 2006 at 3:56 pm
“if you had to use it in an essay it was to be spelt with an “X”.”
Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t “X” Greek for Christ? Joke’s on them.
November 19th, 2006 at 4:11 pm
Wow Steve, I never knew that “X” was greek for Christ, and I don’t think I’m alone on that one. I did a little research and it seems to add up.
Good to know, it definitely sheds some light on the origin of that abbreviation.
November 20th, 2006 at 4:44 pm
Just learned today that the Christmas tree that will be at the front of my daughter’s school is going to be called “The Giving Tree”.
November 20th, 2006 at 4:56 pm
Another classic example. The least they could do is call it The “Giving Hope Today” Tree.
November 23rd, 2006 at 10:07 am
Even though “X” stands for Christ in Greek….whats wrong with typing the whole word out so the ones like Children & Adults that do not realize what the “X” represents.
There is no short form to be Born Again you have to go right to the source and that is “Christ” to accept him into your lives and not go on the understanding I am a Christain because my Mom & Dad are……Christmas should be wrote “Christmas”
November 23rd, 2006 at 3:33 pm
Doug, if you follow the link in Jeremy’s first comment you’ll learn:
“The word “Christ” and its compounds, including “Christmas”, have been abbreviated for at least the past 1,000 years, long before the modern “Xmas” was commonly used.”
This isn’t something new. Having said that I would agree with you, we should use the entire word. The use of “X” in place of Christ has virtually no meaning to those that don’t know the Greek meaning. Just as the Christmas season has been dumbed down to little more that hanging out with friends and family and giving/getting gifts, using “X” in place of Christ takes Christ out of Christmas even if “X” does means Christ. Make sense?
November 23rd, 2006 at 9:17 pm
I personally go on the Radio during the Christmas Season at least 40 times during this period for at least 25 years and announce the total for our Christmas Fund and always end my comment with this….”Remember Keep the True Spirit of Alive within your Hearts and Keep the Name of “Christ” in Christmas. People oftem comment to me when they hear me say this Christains & Non Christains say to me….we really know when Christmas is close….through that comment….so I do encourage others to keep “Christ” in Christmas.
December 14th, 2006 at 5:26 pm
The word Christmas……. I am not religious but Christmas to me is, Santa Claus, family, joy,love,Turkey and of course watching your children open up there gifts from santa at 5 am…….lol If I want to say Merry Chrisrtmas to somebody I WILL, if you dont like it then suck it up! tiss the season.