WHY PEOPLE PREFER "CHRISTMAS" TO "XMAS"

Image Source:Pixabay
A lot of people frown at the usage of "Xmas" instead of "Christmas" while writing or wishing them Merry Christmas. While some people habitually prefer to use "Xmas" feeling it's the short form of Christmas. Others are indifferent, whether you're wishing them "Merry Xmas" or "Merry Christmas", they're cool.

Users of the word, "Xmas" do argue that, 'X' was a symbol for Christ, from the Greek letter chi (X), initial of Christos (Christ). So why do some people feel displeased or uncomfortable when someone writes or say "Merry Xmas" to them instead of "Merry Christmas"?

The whole concept of displeasure at the use of "Xmas" over "Christmas" is that of Semantic terrorism. Semantic terrorism here, is simply making meaning of words with negative impact seem lighter. It is also the manipulation of words to make them seem less impactful without changing the true meaning of the words.
For example, instead of saying, "he committed adultery", one would rather say, "he had an affair". Now, the later tends to make the offence appear lighter than than the initial expression.

Image Source:Pixabay
The "X" in "Xmas" is gotten from the arithmetic world which is used to denote an "unknown" quantity in physics and mathematics. Hence, when people write or say "Merry Xmas" instead of "Merry Christmas", they tend to imply Merry "Unknown" mass, without knowing. They are indirectly trying to make the word "Christmas" which refers to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, observed as a public holiday seem less meaningful, therefore, the displeasure of the usage by some.

They feel wishing them "Merry Xmas" is like trying to remove Jesus Christ from the equation, or trying to take Jesus Christ out of the mass, leaving them with an empty or unknown mass (Xmas). Others are of the opinion that "Xmas" instead of "Christmas" is just grammatically incorrect. Personally, I couldn't agree more, that the concept of semantic terrorism is being applied whenever "Merry Xmas" is being used, whether by intent or not.

I prefer the use of "Christmas" to "Xmas", and I would say that we will make more sense if we write or say "Merry Christmas" instead of "Merry Xmas".

Image Source:Pixabay
May the blessings, peace and joy that comes with Christmas be with you and your family.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

Upvote, follow and resteem
Thank you for reading.