... With Christianity suddenly a true force, the Bishop of Rome ordered, in 137 A.D., that Christ’s birth be honored with a festival. In 325, the first Christian emperor, Constantine the Great, said Christmas was an “immovable feast” to be observed on December 25 – a day with built-in resonance in the area. By then the holy day was known as Mass of Christ, Christ’s Mass, Christ-mass. Since Christ’s name in Greek is Xristos, many centuries later – circa 1500 – Christmas would be called, by some societies, Xmas. In 20th century America this would come to be seen by many as a denigration, but in fact it was just as respectful as the original Roman term.
From Christmas Around the World
By The Editors of LIFE (2004)
Time Inc. Home Entertainment
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