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Is “Keep Christ in Christmas” a fight against “Xmas”? Yes, No, But So Much More

Many Catholics of the 1950s and 1960s remember the campaigns of “Keep Christ in Christmas.” These had special relevance in background of the Cold War, with great concerns about the atheism of Communist regimes in contrast to American religious freedoms. Others may remember it as a campaign against the use of “Xmas” rather than “Christmas.” The “X” was actually the first letter of the word “Christ” in Greek, so it was not always an attempt to diminish Christmas unless it was the harmful desire of the person who used it. Some used “Xmas” without malicious intent, thinking it was just another way of spelling the word. We see the “X” stand for Christ in Greek letters that look like “IXOYE” on bumper stickers and other signs. It is also in Catholic symbols. If you’ve ever noticed a P with an X through it, it’s actually the first two letters of “Christ” in Greek, pronounced “chi rho.” The X is the first, and the P is actually an R in the English alphabet. The first prominent use of this symbol was by the Emperor Constantine. The X in the symbol looks like a cross, a reminder of the crucifixion. But for us today, spelling out “Christ” reminds us of our Savior in the most intentional, plain, and precise way, ensuring the meaning of our words.

“Keep Christ in Christmas” emphasizes that Christmas is our celebration of new life that redeems us and elevates our purpose to God individually, with our families, and our neighbors. How the Knights of Columbus became involved in “Keep Christ in Christmas” is our next installment.