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Line 1: − #REDIRECT [[Christmas]]+ + + + + +
revised to brief article re original meaning of Greek abbreviation chi [ X ] for Christos [
'''X-mas''' and '''Xmas''' is an ancient abbreviation in Christian manuscripts using the [[Greek]] letter ''chi'' '''Χ χ''' for ''Christos'' '''ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ''Χρίστος'''''. The suffix "-mas" from the [[Latin]] means [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]], the term itself originating in the Latin dismissal at the end of [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] [[worship]], ''Ite missa est'' "'''Go''' [forth in mission] '''it is''' [completed]", ultimately deriving its origin from the word of Christ commanding the [[Great Commission]] to "'''Go'''" forth with the divinely authorized "'''mission'''", both publicly to announce and proclaim Christ as Lord and Savior and Son of God, and personally by [[witnessing]] to Him daily "in your thoughts, words, and deeds".
Because the celebration of the [[Nativity]] of the Lord Jesus Christ was held to be, like [[Resurrection Sunday|Easter]], one of the highest celebrations of [[orthodox]] [[catholic]] Christianity, it came to be revered as the Mass of Christ Himself, the "Christ-Mass", now '''[[Christmas]]''' and '''Xmas'''.
[[category:Christianity]]