So THAT's Why We Sometimes Write Christmas As 'Xmas'

We’ve written before at HuffPost UK about what Advent really means, why Christmas trees exist, and what Yule logs and candy canes have to do with it all.

But what about spelling Christmas as “Xmas”?  

After all, I’ve never heard a Christian describe themselves as an “Xian,” or a christening referred to as an “Xtening” – yet most of us have probably already received a text or card wishing us a Merry Xmas without thinking twice.

And though Dictionary.com says some people are “offended” by the abbreviation, they argue, ” the origin of this controversial term might change your mind”. 

Where does the “X” In “Xmas” come from?

Dictionary.com says “Xmas” is much older than you might think. It was used in the 16th century, they say. 

Per Vox, though, a variant of the abbreviation was written in 1021, when an Anglo-Saxon scribe wrote “XPmas” in a letter.

The poet Samuel Coleridge even wrote, “On Xmas day I breakfasted with Davy,” in a 1801 letter.

“X represents the Greek letter chi, the initial letter in the word Χριστός (Chrīstos),” Dictionary.com said. 

And yes, Χριστός means “Jesus Christ”. 

Because Jesus’ name was written so often in the past, an abbreviated form of the moniker was actually quite useful. 

Vox pointed out that “X” as a common shorthand for Christ was first popularised by Constantine the Great, who was an Ancient Roman emperor from 306-337. 

Another abbreviation is ☧, also known as a Christogram. This is a stylised version of XP, another shorter version of Christ’s name (hence the 1021 scribe letter). 

XT and IHS, too, have been used to symbolise Jesus.

In other words, “Xmas” just means Christmas.

What about Noel?

We’ve shared before that Yule comes from ancient Northern European and Scandinavian solstice holidays. 

But Noel, Dictionary.com said, “word derives from Latin word nātālis (diēs), meaning ‘birthday’”. 

Like “Advent,” it refers to the birth of Jesus.