As I have stated many times, I am from a back woods country people. People who misunderstand and take things a bit more religious than they should. 

Recently a big issue has happened near me with fingerprinting for clearances. Of course I have held clearances for years and have done a number of things to recieve them, such as stood in sound proof booths to answer questions, been interrogated by the police, and of course had my fingerprints done with local, state and FBI offices. But this lady who is refusing to be figgerprinted for clearances feel that it is is "the mark" as referred to in revelations and is therefore refusing to have it done.  Here is the link if you don't believe me: http://www.pennlive.com/news/2017/11/mark_of_the_devil_woman_fired.html

Anyway - regigion therefore gets in the way of a great deal. And EVERY year I hear about X-mas... oh dear the poor people that use the term X-Mas... I hear every year the complaints that these people who utilize this term are taking the CHRIST out of Christmas, and I merely laugh at their ignorance. 

Did you know that most abrebiations used are used for a reason. They are not used frivolusly or without forethought. Believe it or not, I truly feel that this is one of those cases where I saw - please do not throw stones from your glass house - you have few windows left. 

So why then X. Well, first, our alphabet was not first used by our home languages - surprising, right. X was origionally a greek letter. Not called "ecks" but actually called "Chi" ... any person involved in a faternity or sarority in college can tell you that. 

Chi (X) is the first letter in the word Χριστός  (I had to copy and past that to get the right greek letters so I hope it turns out well).  This word is a word meaning Christ. 

Early Christians, well, they were far more resecuted than most of us complaining ... well.... anyway - think more like China where Christianity and Bibles are illegal, and the poeple to profress to thm or own Bibles are killed. Pubicly, silenty, ... doesn't matter... they are to die. So for these people, sharing openly is difficult. 

For these early Christians, they wanted to share their beliefes, thoughts, feelings, desires, and love with others.  But it was dangerous. X became a symbol. a simple one, that if a person was another believer, they would recognize instantly and be able to share together. If the other person was not a believer, it did not seem odd to see an X somewhere. It was a letter of the aphabet, and a simple thing for what we would refer to today as grafiti artists to crave or leave somewhere. 

Similay stories are those of the  ΙΧΘΥΣ, or ichthys, ... Otherwise known as the Jesus fish. A person would draw half, and if a person was a belever they would finish it. If they were not, it would simply look like a small doodle - nothing more. 

So, I am getting my frustration out now, before I hear more of this non-sense. People who use X-mas are not people trying to take Christ out of Christmas. In fact, it is possible that these people know more about their religion that someone who says Merry Christams because it is the "right hing: to say. 

I also do not take offense to those who wish me a "happy holidays." There are 3 religions that share my G-d, and I would no more wish any of those followers ill than I would anyone else. So Holidays that go on in this time period, as long as they spread love and joy to others, how can I object. Infact, the only holiday I officcially object to is Kwanza, but that is for another day. 

For now - Happy Christams, Merry Xmas, and Happy Holidays to you all. 

:) Susie