Merry X-Mas: "Don't Take Christ Out Of Christmas!"

I hear this phrase a lot around the holidays. I've been guilty of using X-mas/Xmas/xmas/x-mas for Christmas in shorthand when writing out lists. I write out the entire word in cards, but it's just easier to use the abbreviation for notes to myself. For me, using the abbreviation doesn't take anything out of Christmas. I heard on the radio one day that the X was actually a Greek symbol for Christ. I was curious and decided to do a little research to learn more.

Short answer: X stands for Christ.

Long answer: Supposedly, Constantine saw the Greek letters Chi (X) and Rho (P) together when he had the vision that made him convert to Christianity. Sometimes, 'XP' is used as an abbreviation for Christ or just the 'X' is used. The English X does not sound the same as it does in Greek, so many people do not associate the Greek letter X (Chi) with Christ. I also learned a new word while researching: Christogram. A Christogram is a symbol of Christ, the most popular being the Chi-Rho (XP).

Chi-Rho Symbol for Christ

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