24. THE QUESTION WAS:

What does the term “Christmas” mean?

a.                  Christ’s manger

b.                  Christ’s Mass

c.                   Christ’s presents

 

 

 

THE ANSWER IS…..B…..Christ’s Mass

 

Here’s some trivia for ya. You’ve probably heard people complaining that the infamous “X-Mas” takes the Christ out of Christmas. Well, obviously these people don’t know their Greek. Because the Greek word for Christ is “Xristos.” The X is just an abbreviation or symbol for Christ.

I, personally, have known this ever since……well, ever since five minutes before writing this question.

If you pay attention to the letters on fraternity houses, then you know that the "X" is the Greek letter chi.

 

Back to the question about Christmas meaning “Christ’s Mass.” The sacrifice which we call Mass was the center of worship for Christians from the beginning. Christmas was the Mass which celebrated Christ’s birth. Mass refers to the sacrifice that occurs at the altar with bread and wine truly becoming Jesus Christ Himself in flesh, blood, soul and divinity. We offer this sacrifice up to the Father for our sins, for the cleansing of our souls. Mass continues to be at the center of our lives. You could not do anything greater for someone than to pray for them at daily Mass.

The name “Christmas” has been around since 1038 when it started as “Christes Maesse” and a century later became “crist-messe”

For more info, see www.salveregina.com/articles/christmas.html

 

 

 

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