Putting the X back in Xmas

So let’s take a little time to sit down by the fire with some hot cocoa next to the tree (which should be nowhere near the fire) and talk about Xmas.  It has come to my attention that Xmas is the “most wonderful time of the year”.  Indeed, I must admit that this season is full of wonder.  For example: I wonder when this season actually starts as my local grocery store had an Xmas tree up before Halloween, I wonder why a season of love carries an air of madness that typically requires prescription medications, I also wonder If I actually like my supposed “loved ones” enough to get up at 5am the day after Thanksgiving in order to stand inline for an hour to get some STILL very expensive item that I WON’T EVEN GET TO USE!

But there is not reason to stress out.  Take a deep breath and relax. Have another sip of hot cocoa (or is it hot chocolate…is there a difference?).  The Xmas season can also be a relaxing time with loved ones sitting indoors roasting chestnuts (does anyone know if those are any good?) and watching the snow fall  (snow that I refuse to shovel! Those damn ungrateful “loved ones” can shovel themselves out…I’m not going anywhere!)

It is important for us to take advantage of these moments of calm and heavily medicated silence to consider the finer points of Xmas.  Why do we celebrate Xmas?  Where do our ridiculous traditions come from?  Is it worth the time to write my state representative to have Xmas abolished?  So lets take a moment to consider some of these holiday wonders as we wait with our stockings hung by the chimney with care hoping that Saint Nick will soon be there (hopefully with more Valium!).

Holiday Wonder # 1: The X in Xmas

I am sure that in many preachers have taken up the fight against that dreaded X in Xmas.  This is probably a holiday break from their continued battle against the XXX industry (Perhaps a divide and conquer approach).  But, as you have no doubt noticed, I have no problem with the X in Xmas.  As a matter of fact, I write it proudly because rather than some strange and arbitrary abbreviation I believe writing Xmas proves me to be a little more literate and worldly.  The X is actually a Greek character.  The Greek word for Christ is Christos or Khristós and in its native Greek characters looks like this: Χριστός.  Conveniently enough the first character easily translates into our X but is actually the Greek letter chi.

The use of the X began in the middle ages when monks and scholars would abbreviate the spelling of Christ while transcribing speeches or text in short hand or when writing the date.  The abbreviation carried on and became a symbol in eastern and some western churches in the form of the Chi-Rho (☧), these being the combination of the first to Greek letters spelling Christ.  So if you see someone abbreviating Christmas as Xmas, don’t burn them at the stake immediately, first ask them what the X means, if they fail to give a intelligent and articulate response, then by all means continue with holiday BBQ.

Holiday Wonder #2:  The Ever-Flammable Xmas Tree
Speaking of fire, why do we take the time to go in not our neighbors back woods property, under the cloak of night, saw down a pine tree, and lug it as quickly as possible back into our living room to decorate it with all manner of glowing and shiny objects?  Now you may be thinking, of course, so if this Christmas thing goes terribly awry you can always torch the house (along with any undesirable “loved ones”) and flee to safety.  Great idea but that’s not the intended purpose for the tree.

Back in the days of the Roman Empire, when war was even more in style than it is now, the pine tree was a symbol of peace.  It is said that when soldiers meet under the pine tree they lay down their weapons and embrace.  I can only assume that at some point people decided they wanted peace in their homes during the holidays (this being before prescription drugs were readily available) and the Xmas tree became a tradition.

Disclaimer:  The Author does not support, condone, have any experience with, or any helpful tips regarding trespassing, arboreal theft, arson, murder, insurance fraud, or flagrant drug use.

Holiday Wonder # 3:  Was Jesus Really Born on December 25th?

No.  Not even close.  Most experts agree that the bible gives substantial evidence that Jesus was probably born around June or July.  He was not born in the dead of winter and there was NO SNOW WHEN JESUS WAS BORN.  Sorry to burst your bubble but he lived in a desert.  A virgin birth is miracle enough; I think those who ask for snow are pushing it.

This tradition also began in the Roman Empire.  Around 300 AD (Anno Domini for my Latin readers) the Roman Emperor, Constantine, decided that he loved Jesus and the Romans should probably stop crucifying them (in a historical chest-nutshell).  This meant it was Ok for Christians to practice their religion however they like.  On December 25th the Romans celebrated the harvest festival of Saturnalia.  The Christians, feeling perhaps a bit left out, decided to hold their own holiday on December 25; The Feast of the Nativity.  This was a feast to remember the event of the nativity but NOT “The Feast of Happy Birthday Baby Jesus”.  As time went on these holidays started to over lap and some traditions carried over even till today.  The cornucopia, which is now part of our Thanksgiving imagery, was originally part of saturnalia. The pine tree also carried over into Christmas this way, as well as the saying to “Peace on earth and good will towards men” which was originally “Peace to men of good will.”

So remember, you are not actually celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ of December 25th.  But do not fret, one of the churches in my local area celebrates JESUS FEST held July 24, 25 and 26 2009.  Buy tickets today while supplies last!  (I am not even making this up, I could not think of something like that).

Holiday Wonder #4:  So what was with the three wise guys anyway?

The traditional Xmas story says that there was a bright shining star in Bethlehem and that three kings, wise men, magi, musketeers or whatever, came to visit him and brought gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Firstly, if you believe the book of Matthew (the only gospel to mention the magi, musketeers, bears or whatever) there is no mention of the number of the apparently male visitors of varying titles that came to visit Jesus.  We simply assume it was three of them because there were three gifts.

On the subject of gifts; if you want to find biblical justification for gifts on Xmas, especially expensive ones, this is it.  The gold, was of course very expensive, the frankincense (incense) knowing it was coming from the east was also very pricy.  And the Myrrh (spices of some sort) had many uses including being a major ingredient in anointment oil and medical remedies. Myrrh would probably need to be put on a credit card and paid off after the New Year.

But who were these gift-bearing strangers?  In all likelihood the three visitors were three Zoroastrian priests.  Zoroastrians (no relation to the swashbuckling Latin American hero) were an eastern people who put great value in the movement of the stars.  These three “wise men” had noticed the star over Bethlehem and realized this was a sign that something big was going down.  Naturally they wanted to see what was up and, being good guests, brought gifts to make up for showing up unannounced.

Holiday Wonder #5:  Do you expect me to believe that a star just appeared over Bethlehem?

First of all, that’s no attitude to take on Xmas. (Here, take a Valium).  Second, it is important to remember that back in Jesus’ day a “star” was just about anything in the sky that was not a bird or cloud or something.  The term “star” was used for pretty much any celestial body.

There is actually considerable evidence to support the appearance of a star at the nativity. Some people believe that the star was just the North Star.  This is unlikely because the North Star would not have appeared but would always have been there and would not attract much attention.  Some sources indicate that every three-hundred some odd years some of the planets in our solar system line up and look like a single, very bright “star”.  This conglomeration of planets would be seen very easily with the naked eye and would certainly attract the attention of the three Zoroastrian magi musketeers.

I hope that this has been a relaxing time for you.  You should feel pretty good after that Valium (you are starting to drool a bit).  Sometimes it can be nice to take some time from the homicidal chaos of the holidays and consider some of the finer points.

So remember keep the X (or Chi) in Christmas, buy a flame resistant tree, remember to tip your magi, and keep watching the stars.  I look forward to seeing everyone at JESUS FEST in July with musical artist Jonah and the Whales.

But until then please enjoy these YouTube Videos depicting a holiday tradition here at CCSU (with a semi-religious finale)

Part One

Part Deux

Episode III

The Final Chapter

Happy Xmas Everyone!!!