From Beginning to End by Mary Folkerts

 

Staring down the last
of another year
and I can’t believe
the march of time
could go this fast.
It never did when
I was a kid waiting
for the school bell
to ring.

What a life this life we live! It starts out slow and then speeds up like one of those terrifying merry-go-rounds, banned for how dangerous they are! Ok, I’m being dramatic, but this time of year, after the busyness and celebrations of Christmas and before the New Year begins, we sit in this in-between land of rest and reflection. Too much backward-looking can leave us with a melancholy spirit of regret and loss if we only focus on what is gone. Reflection, on the other hand, is beneficial if it helps us move forward with purpose and direction.

As storytellers, it’s important to remember that our lives are stories in and of themselves—a whole library full of stories, from comedies to romances, tragedies to memoirs. Some stories we have a hand in writing and others are written for us. Many are never completed until our days are done, but the stories together create a life lived.

I wrote a poem to depict this idea, but more significant than the stories themselves are the bookends that hold up the books: the One who holds all our stories with tender care from beginning to end.

The pale December light
fades outside the windowpane,
but in here, the glow
from the lamp
and the warming fire
illuminate the shelf
lined with volumes
upon volumes of books.
I run my fingers across
the spines,
my heart inexplicably drawn.

Some books fall open
wide
as I examine,
full of words, loud
boisterous, scribbles and
artwork in the margins
dog eared and creased—
those were the confident
days.

Some books have spines
that are broken,
the ink within splotched
and water-stained.
Those were the hard
days.

There are love stories—
romantic curlicues
depicting the emotions
of two hearts
becoming one.
Some books are blank,
stiff and unopened
the pages yet to be marked.

Thumbing my way through
I notice that many stories
have no ending
as of yet…
These—
the stories of life.

But it’s the bookends
holding the whole lot
together that give me
pause.

On one end, tall and strong
stands A—
the beginning,
the Alpha.
And on the other
keeping the books from
toppling is Z—
the ending,
the Omega.

I see it now,
the thread of continuum
woven through the pages,
my stories cradled
in the Father’s
Hands.

For just as He is the Alpha
And Omega, the beginning
and the end,
so He has set a hedge
around my story
from beginning
to end.


Let's keep living and writing our stories, friends, because we know God is the Keeper of our stories!

Mary Folkerts is mom to four kids and wife to a farmer, living on the southern prairies of Alberta, where the skies are large and the sunsets stunning. She is a Proverbs 31 ministries COMPEL Writers Training member involved in church ministries and music. Mary’s blog aims to encourage and inspire women and advocate for those with Down Syndrome, as their youngest child introduced them to this extraordinary new world. For more inspiration, check out Joy in the Small Things https://maryfolkerts.com/ or connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maryfolkerts/

A Xylophonic Vibration by Brenda Leyland

 

❦

This season brings with it

a xylophonic vibration of music for the heart—

From the wonderment of hoarfrost hanging on a winter morning,

To the giggle when jingle bells jangle in the snowy air,

To the comfort of hands holding fast in woolen mittens,

Icy fingers wrapping 'round a steaming mug,

The rapt pleasure of inhaling earthy pine needles and spruce gum,

Not to mention the glee on children's faces spying twinkle lights on a tree,

The shivery anticipation in whispered secrets and safe hidey-holes, 

with shouts of, You can't come in here!

Along with squeals and gasps of pleasure when presents are finally revealed.

 

From the wonderment of seeing a new star in the night sky, and imagining

the shepherds awestruck to watch the heavens burst with singing choirs,

To that tingle, that sweet swell inside, when your ears catch the first notes

of a forever favourite carol, heart soaring as you sing along:

"O holy night . . . a thrill of hope the weary world rejoices"

"God rest you, merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay"

"...yet in thy dark streets shineth an everlasting light"

The vibration repeats the sounding joy and hearts strain to hear

♪ One Perfect Note ♪

Jesus, Son of God

This Christmas Day we celebrate.

❦

Top Photo: Image by Van3ssa from Pixabay

Inspired by the beauty of God's world around her, Brenda loves shaping words into beautiful thoughts for good. Her sweet spot place for writing is on her blog It's A Beautiful Life. 

EXcited by Lorrie Orr

 

It's Christmas Eve. I'm a child - 7, 8, 10, 12 - and so excited for what the next day might bring. My sister and I awaken in the dark early morning and creep downstairs, our bare feet cold on the floor. We know to wait to open presents and our whispers soon rouse our brother. Yawning, our parents make their way downstairs. We turn on the Christmas lights and there are the presents. I remember matching doll buggies, dolls, and the year I turned 10, a gold ring with a pink zircon.

Now I'm a grown woman with grandchildren. I still love this season of the year. Advent, with all its heart-focused preparations for Christmas, is deeply meaningful. I lean into the longing felt for generations, and the joy in knowing that our Saviour has come. The story of Jesus come to earth fills me with delight and occasional shivers up my spine.

Then there are the physical plans - considering gifts to make or buy for loved ones, filling the freezer with cookies and other treats, and decorating the house with lights and festive greenery. I love the list making and planning, but all of it can add up to overly busy days when weariness erases excitement.

On top of all the preparations, I want to feel Christmassy. I want to be excited about the season, to revel in the glow of lights, to find myself smiling throughout the day. I've learned, however, that feelings come and go, and to be okay with that. Christmas doesn't mean that frustrations, difficulties, and sorrows disappear. Indeed, sometimes hard things are magnified by the expectations of the season. Walking under the stars (or in falling snow), sitting quietly by the fire, hearing Christmas music in the stores, or just being content puttering away in my home are moments when that elusive "Christmas spirit" fills me with a measure of happiness. I am learning to be content with those moments, knowing that they will pass, but also that they will come again. Ultimately, I know that no matter my feelings, Christ is here. Immanuel. God with us. God with me. God with you.

Merry Christmas!

Lorrie writes from Vancouver Island where she always hopes for a white Christmas, still shakes presents for clues, and enjoys tea and cookies by the fire.

XYZ! by Tracy Krauss

Over the past two years, I have really enjoyed writing this series of posts based on the alphabet. I want to give a huge SHOUT OUT to our outgoing blog moderator, Wendy Macdonald, for coming up with the idea. It was inspired. I’m sure all the other bloggers here would agree that it has been challenging at times, but always loads of fun.

In fact, it has been X-tradordinary! It has made me want to YELP with joy (or laughter on occasion) after reading what others wrote! In fact, I think it has sparked a new ZEAL for blogging for some, myself included.

There. I’ve successfully completed the alphabet. (How successful is a matter of opinion.)

I’ve talked about Authenticity in one’s writing as well as Balance as a writer. I urged others to lean into their Calling rather than Compare themselves to others. It takes Discipline to be a writer, and it helps to know our mission such as whether we write to Encourage, Equip, or Entertain.

The rest of the list includes:

F – Feed My Sheep

G – Grappling With G… GOD!

H – Habits

I – InScribe!

J – Just Write

K – Know and Be Known

L – Limitless

M – Muse

N – Networking & newsletters

O – Opportunities

P – “Plantser”

Q – Quality not Quantity

R – Read and Review

S – Soul On Fire

T – Take Charge of Your Writing Life

U – Uniquely You

V – Vulnerable

W – WIPs

This brings me to the present and this last post for the year and of this alphabet journey. Did you know this represents two whole years of blogging together, my friends? I admit, I’m sad that it’s over.

As a bonus, I’ve recycled many of these posts on my own blog. I felt some had enough merit to deserve more eyes than just those of our small group. As part of the FellowScript editorial team, I’ve asked some of you to reword certain posts and re-submit them as feature articles when I saw how well they fit in with an upcoming theme. I even convinced Sharon Heagy to write a regular column based on her offerings here!

May I make a further suggestion? Some of you may want to gather these posts into a larger publication. (Seriously. An anthology or even a separate book of your own.)

My final advice for 2024 is this: Take the lessons learned while writing these posts and continue to hone your skills. And, keep on finding ways to find joy in the midst of your writing.

May God bless you this coming holiday season and into the next year.

__________________

Tracy Krauss enjoys writing from her home in Tumbler Ridge, BC. Visit her website for more about Tracy and her writing. https://tracykrauss.com

Exit 2024: This Year I Crawled by Alan Anderson

 

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want;

he makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters;

he restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake. Psalm 23: 1-3 (RSV)

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays

down his life for the sheep” John 10:11 (RSV)

 

NOTE: Forgive me, I strayed from our theme of “X” for this month’s blog post. Another thought consumed my mind as I prepared this message.

Exit 2024, Embrace 2025

We all know this year, 2024, will end soon. If the Lord allows us, we will experience a New Year only a few days away. I crawled through most of this year. How about you dear friends? I do not know if 2025 will be any different, but I pray it will be a year I embrace.

Fed up with the Voices

Dear reader, do you ever tire of the world? The world has chosen to act crazy right now. I should say the world lives according to its nature. There are so many loud voices all around. Voices devoid of listening to and speaking truth. Voices of discontent and confusion from those speeding towards an eternity without God, He who loves the world.

Do you ever become weary of the voices? I get to where I cover my ears to block out the voices and yell into the raging clamour, “Will you please shut up?” The world continues to broadcast its blabber through a megaphone of its own making. So many people deaf to the voice of the One who calls people to rest, His rest… Oh, such gentle rest.

The Shepherd’s Voice

Health challenges beset me this year like never before. A combination of these challenges gave cause for me to reflect on the number of my days. The physical strength of my youth has waned, yet I persevere. There is still life to live, people to love, and words to send into the world as I listen to the voice of The Shepherd. This great Shepherd who promises rest for one’s soul.

When 2024, the year I crawled, finally becomes history, I will walk into 2025 with caution and, I am sure, with a limp. With the Lord’s help, I will avoid loud unsettled settings all too open to the brashness of our society. My voice as a writer seeks places surrounded by green pastures and still waters.

What I know as 2025 draws near is God leads now and will lead then. He awaits me. The Lord leads this crawling, needful man to still waters. Still waters are a place to rest. A place to rest in God’s care…a place to hear The Lord’s voice, the voice that matters. A place I need to abide in.

Dear InScribers

Dear InScribe family, with the New Year within sight, I pray our writer voices will reflect the voice of our Shepherd. Whether we crawl, limp, or walk into 2025, He will lead us to green pastures and still waters where rest and restoration awaits.

Merry Christmas dear ones. Christ is born, glorify Him! 

Alan lives in a small village called Deroche, British Columbia, with his wife, Terry, and their poodle, Charlie. He enjoys walking on the dike near his home with trees all around, where he finds inspiration for his writing. He occasionally writes articles for FellowScript Magazine and is a regular contributor to the InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship blog. Alan is the new BC/Northern Regional Rep. for InScribe. His website is https://scarredjoy.ca.

X is for x by Lorilee Guenter

X marks the spot

 According to the dictionary, x "represents an unknown quantity, factor, result, etc." Etcetera, in other words, x is a symbol we use to mark a number of things that we don't know. In mathematics, it is a placeholder in complex equations. X is also a symbol we use for things we know. On a map, it can mark the point of a significant event or destination. It is used as a signature among the illiterate. This letter which does not start many English words compared to its colleagues, is often used as a symbol of something to be found or something important we need to record.

X marks the spot of what we are looking for. Do we know what we are looking for? Many don't. I enjoy solving logic puzzles. While I don't often write out an equation, the principle applies. I am trying to figure out an unknown. When I write, I am exploring unknowns so they become known. I like to read mysteries. Every mystery is an attempt to find some satisfactory conclusion. The x should be difficult but not impossible to deduce. So many ways I use x without even thinking about it.

In Acts 17, Paul introduces the unknown God to his audience. They had a monument to an unknown god. The residents didn't want to offend anyone among the pantheon they worshipped. To ensure no one was overlooked, this monument was erected. Paul knew the one and only God. He could give them the answer they were looking for. 

X marks the spot. The Greek chi (x) was used at least as far back as the 16th century to denote Christ. It was a mark to indicate your belief much like the cross is today. I find this a fun juxtaposition. X marks the spot of the greatest treasure ever, Jesus Christ, the unknown made known at Christmas. Many did not recognise the Messiah. Many still don't recognise Him. They continue to search for some unknown substance or activity to fill the empty spaces. They use created things to approximate the X in their life equation. 

Today God gives us an unknown quality through the Holy Spirit that sets us apart from the world. Only when we let the Holy Spirit work in us, do we have a chance to make the unknown known. It doesn't happen by trying harder, but as a wise woman once said, it happens by trusting harder.

X is for Xanadu by Carol Harrison

 

Xanadu means a place of great beauty. From frost covered trees to dancing northern lights; from rugged mountain peaks to tiny flowering plants, there is beauty and grandeur all around us. We inhale the various fragrances, see the majesty of God’s creation, and hear the bird song on a quiet evening. God, our Creator, created Xanadu when He created the world.

I thought of the words to the hymn, For the Beauty of the Earth, written in 1863 by Folliet Pierpoint. The first verse says:

For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.

The chorus says:

Christ, the Lord, to you we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

Every season has a loveliness of its own. In the heat of summer the flowers bloom and fields grow and mature. In the frigid months of winter, hoarfrost paints the trees in sparkling covers. In the dark of night stars twinkle and aurora dance. We just need to look to find the beauty and then raise to God our grateful praise.

When I write, I find it difficult to capture the immense beauty and variety in words that my eye sees. Yet this is a challenge for all of us as writers. We need to use our words wisely to describe these scenes of great beauty. It is like my words are inadequate to describe the Xanadu of God’s creation around me.

Yet I take note of how the psalmist praises God in every situation. In Psalm 19:1 we read, “The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” In Psalm 24:1-2 we read, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.”

I love to see the mountains rugged grandeur or sit beside a tree surrounded lake listening to the call of the loon. What is your favourite time of year and place to enjoy creation?

 

Carol Harrison writes a variety of things from her home in Saskatoon but often misses being able to sit by a lake and soak in the natural beauty away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

X Stands for Danger by Sharon Heagy

 

“Egad! Sherlock Hemlock here, the world’s greatest detective,

And I believe the letter following W is….

X marks the spot. X marks the crossroads.

Two straight lines crossing over in the middle.

That’s the letter you must see to find the treasure or the clue,

Or the x-ray machine that’s looking right inside of you

X is the letter without which one could not do.

X marks the spot. X stands for danger

Two straight lines crossing over in the middle

Saying, “Here’s the railroad crossing”

And sometimes it means there’s pirates

Or at worst it means there’s poison

And in case these thoughts of X are vexing you,

X stands for xylophone too.”

(Written by Joe Raposo 1971 - Sesame Street)

 

Yes, X is a dangerous letter, perhaps the most dangerous letter in all the world. It is a danger to all humanity. Gasp! It is a danger to all the unseen (mostly unseen) spirit realms. ‘You don’t say!’ Oh, yes. I do say! Every year, right about this time, we are reminded of the perils of X.

It begins late in the fall. Lights begin adorning houses and trees. There’s a shift in the music on the radio, a mellow pulse of joyful tunes. Television commercials are accompanied by ringing bells and other quiet, almost magical tinkling noises. And hark! If you listen closely, you may hear waves of familiar musical phrases and lyrics that speak of love, peace and joy that whirl on the breeze as you pass by the open door of a school or a church. The letter X is on its way. Beware. Beware, I say!

The letter starts popping up everywhere. On greeting cards, in light displays, in home décor and even in advertising for that most dangerous of all displays – the Nativity Scene! Oh, the humanity!

Yes, humanity, and the spiritual realm too!

Over 2000 years ago, ‘X’ came to earth as a baby boy in Bethlehem. His birth struck terror into unseen realms as the devil and his minions witnessed the beginning of their end. Victory over the eternal death they had planned for all humanity was being executed.

Shepherds in fields were petrified by an angel who told them not to be afraid. Then, after telling them about this X baby, a whole bunch of heavenly beings appeared! And they weren’t supposed to be afraid? Gives me shivers just thinking about it!

AND do you know what this angel said? He said, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is ‘X the, oh wait, I mean’ Christ the Lord.” (KJV Luke 2:10-11) My apologies, I just slipped into a little Greek shorthand. Please understand that X and P were often written together as ancient abbreviations for Χριστός, the Greek work for Christ. And, get this, sometimes they just used X and as a result Christmas became Xmas. Boggles the mind and makes you shudder, right? Are you shaking in your snow boots? Here’s the catch.

The baby X grows up and becomes a man who is also fully God. The x becomes a T, but more like a cross. A wooden cross to which X is nailed by his hands and feet in the barbaric act of crucifixion. Except it shouldn’t be Him on the cross, it should be all of humanity. Me. You. But He hangs there for every single one of us. Quite a debt we owe. But wait, there’s more. After He dies, He is buried and then He rises from the dead. And He’s coming for you. Right to your door, where He knocks. And waits.

You stand on the other side of the door imagining all you deserve because of the bad choices you’ve made and the horrible things you’ve done and you’re scared silly knowing He took your place. And He waits. You don’t want to open the door but your hand rests on the knob. And He waits. Your fingers grip the knob and your knees are knocking and your heart is in your throat and terrified you turn the handle. And He waits. Slowly you pull the door open, ready to take your lumps. And you get them, but not the lumps you expect.

In His embrace you find exactly the opposite of your expectations. You get a lump in your throat. You are enveloped in unconditional love. Your whole being is permeated with forgiveness, grace and mercy. You experience true peace and joy and if that were not enough, you gain eternal life. And you will never, ever, ever be alone again.

Or wait. Are you still standing at the door? Don’t be afraid. He is on the other side, waiting. The love He has for you and the healing in His hands for all your brokenness is beyond anything you can imagine. He is more than enough. Allow yourself to be blessed. Open the door and gain the greatest gift this Christmas. Enter in to the dangerous, magnificent love of Christ. If you need help, I can stand beside you and help you twist the knob. God bless and Merry Christmas.

 

eXcitement Over Words Beginning with X by Steph Beth Nickel

Yes, I cheated when giving this post a title.

However . . .

Did you know that there are over 150 "most commonly used" words that begin with X? You can research them further here: https://www.examples.com/english/words-starting-with-x.html

For today, let's take a look at a baker's dozen of these words that we may want to use in our writing.

Interestingly, XYPHOS refers to a double-edged, one-handed shortsword that was used in Ancient Greece as well as an open source Bible study software. That gives us food for thought.

While XERIC is a watch brand, it is also an adjective indicating the noun it describes needs little moisture.

XENIAL is also an adjective. It refers to hospitality and the relationship between the guest and their host.

If you are writing about medical procedures, you may have reason to use the word XENOGRAFT. This refers to the tissue or organ received by a member of another species.

Similarly, a XENOLITH refers to one type of rock that becomes enveloped by another.

And for you historians out there . . . You may want to refer to a XYSTUS, which was a portico used by athletes in Ancient Greece and a garden walk in Ancient Rome.

The XIPHOID is a small bone below the sternum.

XEROPHYLLUM TENAX is a species of plants in the corn lily family, also known as bear grass, soap grass, quip-quip, and Indian basket grass. 

XYLOID is an adjective referring to something that resembles wood.

XEROGRPHY is a photocopying technique that was originally called electrophotography.

A XEBEC, also spelled "zebec," was a Mediterranean sailing ship used for trading.

XENURINE are specific types of armadillos.

XYLOSE is a monosaccharide type of sugar isolated from wood. 

Which of these or other X words eXcite you and may find their way into your writing?

And, of course, I wish you a Christmas season overflowing with rich blessings and a New Year full of wonder.

Photo Credit: GraphicMama-team on Pixabay.com

X Stands for Unknown by Brenda J. Wood



 

"And we believe and are sure that thou art

the Christ, the Son of the living God."

John 6:69 (KJV)

 

Do you remember the A-B-Cs of Christ? Strong’s Concordance supplied me with this version of what we have in Christ.

A - Adopted  |  B - Blessed  |  C - Conquering

D - Delivered  |  E - Established  |  F - Free  |  G - Graced

H - Healed  |  I - Inheritor  |  J - Justified  |  K - Known

L - Loved  |  M - Ministering  |  N - Named  |  O - Overcomer

P - Precious  |  Q - Quickened  |  R - Redeemed  |  S - Saved

T - Transformed  |  U - Upright  |  V - Valued  |  W - Wanted

X - ________  |  Y - Yielded  |  Z - Zealous

OOPS! There’s no X word in an English Bible, but in the Greek, it’s Χριστός  or Christos, meaning anointed, Messiah, an epithet of Jesus Christ. The dictionary says X stands for Christ as in Xn (Christian) and Xmas (Christmas). X also stands for the algebra unknowns we fought in math class. We may wish to have or be everything in this new alphabet version but without X, the Christ, it’s impossible.

Where is the X, the Christ, in our lives? Is He X, the unknown? X, the Christ, a shortcut to what we want? Or is He X, the crucified Christ, raised from the dead and our personal Saviour?

 
And X the Christ who leads our pen to paper and our heart to write?

(Top) Image by mcanden on Pixabay

Brenda J. Wood has authored more than fifty books. She is a seasoned motivational speaker, who declares the Word of God with wisdom, humour, and common sense.

X Marks the Way Home by Joylene M Bailey

My husband and I have been on a lot of cruises over the years. We found it to be the best vacation for him while he was leading a large company, because while we were in the middle of the ocean or visiting islands and faraway places, nobody could get hold of him except in a real emergency. And he was so far away from work that he actually relaxed.

If you've ever been on a cruise ship you know that your cabin becomes home for 7, 11, 15 days or more. No matter where you travel around the world, what shore excursions you take in the various destinations, you always return "home" to your very own cabin.

We began to favour a particular cruise line whose logo was an X. In fact, a giant X graced the sides of the biggest funnel on the ship, so even from far away--day or night--we could identify our ship. We came to appreciate this when we'd arrive in port along with several other ships.

From atop an island mountain, while perusing the shops on the waterfront, or sitting in a restaurant near the ocean, we could look toward the harbour where the ships were docked, spy the X and say, "Ah. There's home." It gave a thrill to know that we weren't lost out in the middle of nowhere with no direction.

The diverse cultures and foods we were experiencing were interesting and exciting in the moment, but Home was waiting for us with the familiarity and comforts we knew and enjoyed: our own cabin with its comfortable bed, welcoming desk at which to sit and write, deck chairs on the balcony where we could recline and watch land, sea, and sky sail by.

Sometimes, our trek back to the ship involved winding trails through lush foliage or narrow cobble-stoned alleys. We'd lose sight of the X that marked home. But every time it came into view, we were able to get our bearings and head in the right direction. 

It reminds me very much of a scripture verse that has become a kind of watchword for me over the ups and downs of my lifetime. When life got hard and I couldn't see the way forward, I'd count on these words from Isaiah 30:21 ...

"Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right or to the left."

There have been many times when I've had to bring myself up short, remind myself to put my listening ears on. Life gets busy; all kinds of things crowd in to drown out the still small Voice. Once I tune in, however, I hear the word behind me saying, "This is the way, walk in it." How comforting to know that to tune my ears to that Voice, to search for the X, is to find home.

"This is the way ... to handle that situation ..."

"This is the way ... to forge into the unknown ..."

"This is the way ... to word that phrase ..."

In any and every step of life, X marks the way home.

*****

Celebrity cruise ship image by Ralph Hausler from pixabay.

This will be Joy's last regular blog post for IWO, as she'll be taking a break from it for a year or so. But she'll pop in now and then to read and enjoy yours. And you can find her at Scraps of Joy. From her cozy home in beautiful lake country, Alberta, where she lives with The Cowboy, she wishes you a Joyous Christmas and a blessed 2025.

X is For Keeping Christ in Christmas by Bob Jones

 

Some have labelled its use, blasphemy. For others it’s just Greek to them.

For people like you who use and care about words, what do you think of the word, Xmas? I think the term is about keeping Christ in Christmas. As a pastor, I’ve had interesting (some very emotional) reactions when I talk that way or certainly when I preach using that term.

But before I explain my thinking, a little context.

There is a prevalent Christian cultural myth that the use of the word Xmas stems from a secularizing tendency to de-emphasize the religious tradition of Christmas. The use of Xmas in advertising and conversation is the culprit. You’ve heard the lament, “Xmas?! Now they’re taking Christ out of Christmas.”

History

• In 1957 the use of X in Xmas was dismissed as “the unknown quantity” by the Church League of America.
• In 1966 a conspiracy theory around the use of Xmas was that “Jewry influenced the United Nations to outlaw the name of Christ.”
• In 2019, one of the most well-known Christian leaders in the world declared that using the term “Xmas” was the result of a war against using the name of Jesus.

Have you seen the 2024 cryptocurrency exchange that goes by the name, XT? Some see that as a mockery of Christ.

Nevertheless, the term's usage dates to the 16th century, and corresponds to Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Church of England and Episcopalian liturgical use of various forms of the chi-rho monogram. In fact, the word Christ and its compounds, including Christmas, have been abbreviated in English for at least the past 1,000 years. In many manuscripts of the New Testament, 'Χ' is an abbreviation for Χριστος.

It's Greek To Me

The 'X' comes from the Greek letter Chi.

The Chi Rho, one of the earliest forms of the Christogram, is formed by superimposing the first two (capital) letters—chi and rho (ΧΡ)—of the Greek ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ (Christos) in such a way that the vertical stroke of the rho intersects the centre of the chi.

Enough Greek, OK (which is from the Greek, Ola kala meaning “all good”)?

My preferred words are Christ and Christmas. I only use Xmas to make a point.

The term, Xmas, is not a hill to die on. It’s a hill to light a light on. Somebody ultimately important to us said, you are the light of the world. Even a misunderstanding around the use of a word can be used to draw people to the Word rather than get up in arms and defend “our rights.” A Christian’s lead step is always love, or service, never power.

If you got this far in my final post of 2024 and you feel some level of frustration, anger, disbelief, or disappointment with me, I’m not sorry. I am grateful for you. You are my brothers and sisters.

In this day and age, everything is polarized for some advantage. Let's focus on Jesus. Remember the words of Bonhoeffer, "When Xt calls a man he bids him come and die."

More power to ya. 

 

Merry Christmas! Christ is glorified!

May 2025 be the best year of your life. Amen.

Bob writes at REVwords.com