The Forgotten Syllable

“Xmas.”
“Christmas.”
“Xmas.”
“Christmas.”
Which one is it?

In modern American culture, some people say “Christmas” while some say “Xmas.” The first syllable of “Christmas” garners much attention. And then there is the forgotten syllable—the second syllable “-mas.” What if anything does this word mean? In attempt to discover the true meaning of Christmas, I’ll dissect the word Christmas in hope of arriving at an answer.


The First Syllable

“Christ”: This is reasonably simple to explain in that “Christos” is a Greek word meaning “anointed one.” The word is attributed to Jesus of Nazareth who is believed to be the “anointed” Son of God. Jesus is the second person of the Most Holy Trinity God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

“X”: When I began contemplating the reasons for using “X” I narrowed it down to two ideas. First, using “X” is a way to eliminate “Christ” from “Christmas” and by doing so the word is separated from religion. Second, “X” is an angled cross symbolizing the crucifixion cross of Jesus.

To answer this question about the origin of “X” I thought it prudent to look up the word’s history. After flipping through the Oxford Dictionary to no success, I threw out the 20th century tool and went to the handy 21st century tool: Wikipedia.

According to the authors, “X” comes from an abbreviated form of the Greek word for Christ, “Χριστος.” Another common use of “Χριστος” is “XP” displayed as a “P” overlaying the “X” in a symbol known as a “labarum.” This too is a symbol for Christ.

Because “X” is an abbreviation for “Christ,” “Xmas” is an abbreviation for “Christmas.” The words are synonymous.


The Forgotten Syllable

Now I get to the unnoticed syllable: “-mas.” What is the meaning of this word?

I use another 21st century tool—the source called Newadvent.org. In regards to the origin of the word “Christmas” it says:

The word for Christmas in late Old English is Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ, first found in 1038, and Cristes-messe, in 1131.

Wikipedia says: The "-mas" part is from the Latin-derived Old English word for Mass.”

“Mass” comes from the Latin “missa” from which the English word “mission” is derived. “Missa” has the effect “Go” or “It is sent.” Often times a Latin Rite Christian will call their worship service, “mass.”

At “mass” the worshiper comes into communion with Christ through the consecrated bread and wine. Then the worshipper is “sent” out into the world when the priest or the deacon says the dismissal “Go forth, the Mass is ended” or “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord” or “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life” or “Go in peace.”

So the forgotten syllable "-mas" calls me to action, to “Go forth.” And thus I arrive at the meaning of “Christmas”: The Mass of Christ. The mission of Christ.

The Catechism explains: “The ultimate purpose of mission is none other than to make men share in the communion between the Father and the Son in their Spirit of Love (Catechism par. 850).”

Love.

We hear St. John say, “God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him (1 John 4:16).” And he says,“…let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God (1 John 4:7).

So this “Christmas” I am called to live the meaning of the full word. I am called to go forth in Christ and for Christ with the Spirit of love.

“Only when Christ is formed in us will the mystery of Christmas be fulfilled (Catechism par. 526).”

Let us all live the “-mas” this “Christmas.”