December is the most expected month of the year for some of us. Not only because of the snow but also because of the holiday everyone is waiting for: Christmas. It is a day full of joy that we spend with our families, gathered around an extraordinary Christmas tree, being thankful for our lives, not just for the food and presents. Oh... I love Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. But, where exactly does the name „Christmas” come from?
Well, here is an explanation: by the Middle Ages, Christians were celebrating the remarkable event of Jesus’ birth with an extended season that began with Advent (four Sundays before Christmas) and continued for the 12 Days after Christmas (up until Epiphany on January 6th). The time preceding Christmas used to be a solemn time of fasting, whereas the days after Christmas were the time of celebration. Christians looked forward to the Midnight Mass of Christmas Eve with great anticipation, because it was the service that marked the transition from fasting to feasting. This service, known as “Christ’s Mass,” eventually became a description for Jesus’ birth celebration throughout the world. The word “Christmas” has its origin from the old English term Cristes Maesse, meaning “Christ’s Mass.”
Though the word Christ is commonly used as Jesus’ name, it is actually a title. It comes from a Greek word that means “Anointed One” (the Hebrew word is “Messiah” — a term that Old Testament prophets used to describe the coming Savior). It should be noted that the abbreviated term Xmas does not necessarily take the “Christ” out of Christmas. The first letter of the Greek word for Christ (Χριστός) is “X” (pronounced “kai” in Greek), and it has been used throughout history to represent Jesus’ title.
The word Mass comes from the Latin word missa, which means “dismissal.” During the Middle Ages, the term became a general description for the Eucharistic service (the bread and wine of which Christians partook in remembrance of the body and blood of Jesus). The word gives insight into how medieval Christians understood at least one of the significant aspects of the Eucharist — they gathered together to remember the body (and great sacrifice of Christ), so that they would be strengthened to go (or more specifically, to be “dismissed”) back into the world to BE in the body of Christ. The apostle Paul told of this mystery when he wrote to believers in Corinth, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27).
As far as my knowledge goes, I answered a question that I have seen people ask quite often and I really hope I helped at least a few of you.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays for all of you!
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