Xmas

X is the first letter of the Greek word for Christ - 'Xristos'. To the early Christians, most of whom spoke and wrote Greek, the word signified 'Christ's Mass'.

As the centuries passed, however, fewer and fewer people understood ancient Greek. They thought the 'X' had some pagan meaning and that the word 'Xmas' showed disrespect. Some people dislike the informality of this abbreviation and the fact that it removes the word "Christ" from the word Christmas. Others find it less objectionable. They point out that the "X"stands for the Greek letter "X" (chi), which is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ.

The occasionally felt belief that the "X" represents the cross Christ was crucified on has no basis in fact. The St Andrew's Cross is X-shaped, but Christ's cross was probably shaped like a T or a †. Indeed, X-as-chi was associated with Christ long before X-as-cross could be, since the cross as a Christian symbol developed later. (The Greek letter Chi Χ stood for "Christ").

Hanukkah Christmas Cards

Hanukkah is a Jewish festival and falls during the darkest days of December. It is not the Jewish Christmas but many American Jewish families have adapted certain Christmas customs, for example cards and gifts. The Hanukkah holidays fall on different days between 25th November and 26th December each year. It is a movable feast similar to the Christian Easter. It is a celebration of light. The Hebrew word Hanukkah means "dedication". The Hanukkah holiday is known as the 'Feast of Dedication' or the 'Feast of Light'.

The Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days in memory of the Maccabeean uprising and the Temple miracle in Jerusalem. One candle is lit on each night of Hanukkah and there is a special ninth candle called the shammas, or servant light - the one light able to kindle many.

The old custom of distributing Hanukkah gelt (coins) to children has extended to gifts. Often Jewish parents give their children a present for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. In addition, some people also exchange Hanukkah Cards with friends and family.