“X-mas” was close to a cuss word in the church circles in which I grew up. Borderline sacrilege. People who wished you a “Merry Xmas” weren’t truly Christian; that’s just the way it was.
We saw the ‘X’ as a scheme to rid Christ from the very holiday that celebrated His birth! While there’s still a part of me that thinks it’s true for some, I have recently come to an understanding that there’s something more honorable in play.
The early Church loved the ‘X’ (chi) in ιχθυς (ichthus) or Christ (Χριστός) as it was their shorthand for the Savior.
What in the world is ‘ichthus’?
You’re not going to find it in your Greek New Testament. Ichthus was a ‘code’ word invented by the first-century church to silently confess who they were to one another – at the risk of their lives.
The Greek letters in ichthus make an acrostic:
I (Iesous)
Chi, or X (Christos)
Theta (Theou)
Upsilon (Uios)
Sigma (Sotor)
The letters together spell ‘ichthus’ (ιχθύς) and the five Greek words they represent make this striking declaration:
“Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior”
Sometimes, when the situation demanded, they shortened it with an ‘X’ or a two-stroke fish outline.
I’m not a ‘fish symbol on the car’ kind of guy but I can certainly truck with the idea behind them. Those emblems, whether on a business sign or the bumper of an automobile, are designed to tell passersby We worship Jesus Christ, (who is) the Son of God, (our) Savior.
So what about the ‘X’?
The chi (or ‘X’) is just what you might expect. It has connotations of the cross and was surreptitiously drawn as a sign passed between believers.
Back in those days Christianity was seen as a rogue religion, outlawed by the Roman imperial government. If you were a follower of Christ, there was always the danger of being outed, so Christians (Xians), people of ιχθυς, would use a quick sign (a two-stroke outline of a fish or an ‘X’) to assure another they were safe in their company.
Embrace the ‘Χ’ this Xmas. You can be assured you’re tracing a long history of committed, devoted worshippers of the Christ!
Still uncomfortable?
I understand. I still wince a little when I see it spelled that way. Think of it in another way:
- X marks a treasure, and Jesus is certainly the inexhaustible supply of God, our Portion and Prize for eternity
- X marks where you are on a map – that’s what Emmanuel is all about. Imagine yourself ‘here’ and then place an ‘X’ over that spot. He is with you!
Hopefully this Christmas post helps you see what the enemy wants to scandalize, God sanctifies. When I see ‘Xmas’ from here on, I’ll breathe a little easier knowing it really is about Christ…whether the world knows it or not.
Merry Xmas, beloved!
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What a refreshing, wise and gracious word. I grieve a kind of paranoia in the Christian community that seems to hunt down slights against Jesus or Christianity in the parsing of words and phrases: X-mas or Holiday Trees or Winter Celebrations. Ironically, it seems to make the Christ of Christmas very small indeed. Merry X-mas, Scott!
My brother, I wish I could properly convey to you how you’ve ministered to me so many times. I am so benefited by your place in my life. Thank you for the helpful thoughts you’ve offered. Couldn’t agree more. So much love to you and Joy, with thanksgiving abounding! Merry X-mas my dear friend!
Scott, do I know you. I was with Dr. Hutson at Forrest Hills B. C. In Atlanta.
Hey Brother John…yes! You were my youth pastor, so you got the right guy. Blessings! You had a big role in my ministry calling. A great blessing to hear from you!
So happy to see that you’re still hanging out! I sure miss you two!
Hi Robin! Haha, yes, alive and kicking, and thanking the good Lord for it all! I’m so happy to hear from you. Blessings to you, my friend.
Scott, my sister and I were just talking about this the other day and I was explaining to her the significance of the X, the fish, etc. Thank you for this post because I will share this as you have taken it more in-depth. I am also a member of several TTU groups on Facebook. Would you be okay with me sharing this article if I cite you as the author? I know many will know of you as your time at Temple was the same time as my youth directors. Please tell Sandy hello and I hope you both have a very Merry CHRISTmas filled with love, peace and joy and a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. Tell Sandy I would love to hear from her. If she is on FB I joined at the end of April so she can find me there. Take care and God bless! (Psalm 37:23-26)
My dear Gwendolyn, how wonderful to receive your message here on this Christmas Eve day! Such a wonderful gift of words! Thank you for allowing me to know how this post, by God’s grace, has blessed you…and, by all means, it would be my deepest honor for you to share it! God bless you this season and throughout the new year, kind friend. I’ll pass your greeting along to Sandy and have her look you up!
This is awesome! What a great lesson and reminder to look deeper and gain perspective before we form our judgments! Merry Christmas!
You are so kind, Darlene! I’m very blessed you take time to read these posts and share such uplifting comments with me. It means so much.
God bless you and yours, dear friend!