A few days ago I wrote a post about the absurdity of Christmas without Christ. Few posts have ever stirred up so much reaction. If you missed it, you can get up to speed here. It was entitled, “No more Xmas!†Perhaps people read it just to see who this pastor was who seemed to be against Christmas and they soon discovered the post was about the opposite.
I suppose some might call it nit-picky, but I just feel like, if your Carpal Tunnel syndrome is bothering you that much, skimping with an X instead of the name of Christ isn’t gonna get you out of wrist surgery. I also understand that it may have started as a Christian symbol, but it certainly doesn’t get used that way today. In fact, very few people I run across these days are even aware of the good intentions and origins of using the “X” symbol. It’s purpose today is more or less to X things out. In this case it’s Jesus that’s getting Xed out.
And it’s His birthday!!!
I’m just saying it doesn’t seem worth the .0003 nanoseconds you’ll save by not writing the extra 6 letters. I also find it odd that Christians always seem to be the ones who end up coming up with these embarrassing expressions.
Seriously, can’t you just see the rest of the world laughing at us?
I mean, they don’t even consider this silly stuff.
Really, who else does this? Could you imagine if they did?
Kwanzaa would be Xzaa
Hanukkah would Xkah
Ramadan would be Xdan (I’ll probably be given 100 lashes for that one)
Tanabata would be Xbata
Hey, they all rhyme…
I feel a rap coming on.
I’ll spare you. But haven’t you ever wondered about this? Anything Christian seems like fair game both at home and abroad while other religious groups will skin you alive, remove your still beating heart and eat it while you watch if you even name a Teddy bear improperly (thought I was kidding about that one, didn’t you?)!
We don’t even do this junk at home with any other holiday. No one says Happy Xtine Day on February 14th. I’ve never heard, Hey, what are your plans for XLuther XJr. Day?
Even some of the silly ones like, Mardi Gras are never referred to as, XGras!
Why not?
To me it’s more confirmation of the truth of the gospel. The Bible tells us that the,
The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. It’s written,
I’ll turn conventional wisdom on its head,
I’ll expose so-called experts as crackpots.So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn’t God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense? Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered dumb—preaching, of all things!—to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation. I Corinthians 1:17-19 (The Message)
Read the whole context here.
So, that’s why I’m on a mission to center our focus on Christ. Without Him the world would be utterly devoid of hope. That’s why it’s amazing that believers sit idly by while anything good is slowly removed from culture. I probably shouldn’t be though.
Jesus said this would happen. He said this attitude would be prevalent.
I’m just sad to see it so prevalent among His own followers.
I wonder if He is too.
Anyway, it’s late. I’ll have more to say on this in part 3.
Xnight!
P.S. Check this out for a funny reminder about Christmas being about Christ.
Rob Singleton is the lead pastor and founding pastor of 
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I’m glad you spared us the rap! But seriously, thank you for continuing to point us in the right and only direction that we, as His followers, should go. Our purpose is to continue the work that Jesus started here on earth. If we aren’t going to fight the fight, then who will? Jesus wasn’t worried about being politically correct or stepping on toes, so we shouldn’t either.
Thanks for your leadership Rob! Have a great day or should I say Xday!
Rob, I have to admit, before we became followers, before Southbrook changed both the lives of myself and my family, we were the “X” family. We just didn’t know or even understand it.
I just thank the heavenly father everyday that his grace brought us to your church, and reached us.
I challengen ALL to invite invite invite!! This will be our 4th CHRISTmas as members of Southbrook, and our journey is all for HIM.
The Bible is very clear that we will prosecuted. But that doesn’t mean we have to sit back and take it. We are slowly getting to a point this country and every group must be heard and tolerated….except for Christians. The media and Hollywood constantly attacks those that proclaim Jesus as Savior. In fact, today I was reading reviews of the movie, “Golden Compass” and there were some reviewers upset that the film removed some of the anti-Christian themes. How sad is that?
Growing up in the 70’s and 80s, there were no issues with “Merry Christmas”, ‘Christmas Trees’ or nativity scenes. And now there are constant attacks on those issues. This is Satan’s way to ‘homogenize’ Christianity with all other religions in order to reduce its effectiveness. Now, more than ever, we have to let our light shine in a world where people don’t even realize they are in the dark.
I am loving your posts on this. It has been a pet peeve around our house for a while now.
I found this on YouTube…Go Fish’s Song:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ
I thought of you!!
Keep the truth coming.
hmm…
http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/xmasabbr.asp
Ok, in order to make sure no one missed this I will say it a THIRD time. Xmas isn’t new. It wasn’t even intended to be negative — quite the contrary.
The problem is that this isn’t a matter of, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It’s a matter of it is broken, so we need to fix it. Xmas is no longer seen in a positive light by most Christians and almost all non-Christians. Very few actually understand it’s origins. So, today, it’s reduced to just another way to keep Christ out of Christmas.
By the way, here’s what I said regarding that, “I also understand that it may have started as a Christian symbol, but it certainly doesn’t get used that way today.” Look up at the post and you’ll see!
Don’t pick and choose what you want out of a post, read the whole thing and have a Merry CHRISTmas!
That song is quite funny, I sing it at school sometimes…
Keep it coming Rob,
I love this.
What about the little known “S” factor? Does it get no attention. Are we just accepting it to be real, true, no doubt about it? Soooooo many to choose from.
http://jayforeman.blogspot.com/2007/12/real-deal-about-christmas.html
Merry CHRISTmas ya’ll
Interesting…in a recent survey I read, when asked, “What is your reaction when people say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”? Only 13% approved of “Happy Holidays” (others thought it was silly or it irked them). Apparently, the minority who oppose Christianity and the mention of Christ in CHRISTmas have a louder voice. However, if you are concerned about offending people by wishing a “Merry Christmas” feel safe knowing that you may only offend 1 out of every 10 (though the one you may offend may stop to voice their opinion)…be ready with your explanation for the hope you have!
Hi – sorry to be late – but maybe it’s time to move the Christian celebration to June. I mean, 25 December is just a placeholder – nobody knows the real date. I remember hearing that December was chosen to replace a pagan holiday way back when. So, how about the first Sunday in June? We move the celebration of Christ’s birth to a day nobody else is using and let Santa have 25 December. I don’t think it would take to long for most people (marketers excepted) to see the absurdity of Christmas without Christ.
Just a thought.