why xmas and not christmas

Christmas is the holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the founder of the Christian faith. The word "Xmas" is a shortened version of "Christmas" that comes from the Greek word for "Christ" which is "Xristos." The term "Xmas" was first used in the 16th century and has since become a commonly used abbreviation for Christmas. The use of "Xmas" is not meant to take away from the religious significance of Christmas but rather to provide a simpler and more concise way to refer to the holiday.