(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Augusta Press.)
With it being such a slow political week and not much news, I would like to take a moment to wish each and everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
If you are reading this column, you are truly Blessed. I am sure you can think of people, colleagues, friends and family who did not make it to see this holiday season.
While this may bring a level of sadness for many, if you are a believer and they were a believer, rejoice in knowing that you will one day be reunited. The very reason we have the opportunity to reunite is because of the birthday we celebrate on Christmas Day. If it was not for this Child being born, we could not live.
So always make sure to never forget Christ in Christmas.
Here’s a fun fact that I learned and will always look at Christmas differently from this point forward.
Have you ever seen people use the term or write the phrase X-Mas? I have seen it many times, and when I was younger, placed it on many things myself. That made people—including my parents—quickly reprimand me and say, “Don’t write that! Always our Christ there!” They would make reference that the “abbreviation” is being used to hide Christ from Christmas.
The thing I learned this year is that’s not actually how it started. Well not exactly…
MORE: Column: ‘Grinch’ is Alive and well in Augusta
In Greek, the language of the New Testament, the word Christos (Christ) begins with the letter “X” or Chi.
In the early centuries, people were taught shorthand, which made things easier for copying and printing. The word “Christ” and its compounds, including “Christmas,” have been abbreviated in English for at least the past 1,000 years, long before the modern “Xmas” was commonly used.
“Christ” was often written as “Xρ” or “Xt”; there are references in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as far back as 1021.
So, just a little background. I was wondering how many readers actually knew that fact. I didn’t know until the other day.
Christmas Party of Christmas Parties
I had an opportunity to attend the 26th Annual Lynwood Holmes Sounds Unlimited Band Christmas Party. With a sold out crowd and everyone dressed up, this party provided the SoulFull start to the holiday weekend.
Please let me explain.
I attended a few different Christmas get-togethersthis holiday season, however, THIS was a Christmas Par-TTTTT.
The host, Mr. Lynwood Holmes, had approximately 32 wardrobe changes during the event. For those who don’t know, that is the highlight of the party: people trying to keep up with Mr. Holmes and what he will have on next.
I stopped counting at number 19.
On behalf of Monica, the kids and myself, we would like to wish each one of you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
I appreciate all the notes, comments and messages throughout the year— good and bad. I appreciate the readers and the opportunity to provide my level of insight to our community.
Here’s to 2023, and I’m looking forward to it!! I’m sure you will be seeing more of me… and that’s not me getting ahead of myself.
MORE: Column: School board election for District 6 is getting interesting
Four Facts about Christmas in America (provided by Christian Resource)
1) About nine in ten Americans (92%) and nearly all Christians (96%) say they celebrate Christmas.
2) Surprisingly, a big majority (81%) of non-Christians in the U.S. also celebrate Christmas. This includes 87% of people with no religion and even about three-quarters of Asian-American Buddhists (76%) and Hindus (73%).
3) Among Americans overall, about half (51%) say they celebrate Christmas as more of a religious holiday, while roughly a third (32%) say it is more of a cultural holiday to them personally.
4) Americans largely believe that elements of the traditional Christmas story reflect actual historical events. More than seven in ten (73%) say that Jesus was born to a virgin, and 81% believe he was laid in a manger. And similar shares say that wise men, guided by a star, brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (75%) and that an angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus (74%). Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults (65%) believe that all four of these things actually happened, while 14% say none of them happened.
Michael Meyers is a columnist for The Augusta Press. Reach him at Michael.meyers@theaugustapress.com
