why do we say xmas

"Xmas" is a shortened form of "Christmas" that is often used in informal settings. The "X" stands for the Greek letter chi, which is the first letter of the word "Christ" in Greek. However, some people prefer to use the full word "Christmas" to emphasize the religious aspect of the holiday. As a former pastor, I believe it is important to maintain the religious significance of Christmas, but I also understand that some people prefer to use "Xmas" as a way of simplifying the word for practical purposes.