Xmas, a poor misunderstood, word has become the centerpiece and symbol of the “War on Christmas.” However, what’s interesting to know, it’s really not as controversial as originally thought. Could it be that Xmas doesn’t really take the “Christ” out of Christmas but really keeps it there?

Kory Stamper of Merriam-Webster explains the controversy (history) surrounding such a troublesome abbreviation:

The first known Christmas sermon was preached in AD 386 by the “greatest preacher in the early church”, St. John Chrysostom (or ‘Golden Mouthed’ which is the meaning of his given surname). It is both beautifully written and profound.

BEHOLD a new and wondrous mystery. My ears resound to the Shepherd’s song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn. The Angels sing. The Archangels blend their voice in harmony. The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise. The Seraphim exalt His glory. All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man in heaven. He Who is above, now for our redemption dwells here below; and he that was lowly is by divine mercy raised.

Bethlehem this day resembles heaven; hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices; and in place of the sun, enfolds within itself on every side, the Sun of justice. And ask not how: for where God wills, the order of nature yields. For He willed, He had the power, He descended, He redeemed; all things yielded in obedience to God. This day He Who is, is Born; and He Who is, becomes what He was not. For when He was God, He became man; yet not departing from the Godhead that is His. Nor yet by any loss of divinity became He man, nor through increase became He God from man; but being the Word He became flesh, His nature, because of impassability, remaining unchanged.

And so the kings have come, and they have seen the heavenly King that has come upon the earth, not bringing with Him Angels, nor Archangels, nor Thrones, nor Dominations, nor Powers, nor Principalities, but, treading a new and solitary path, He has come forth from a spotless womb.

Since this heavenly birth cannot be described, neither does His coming amongst us in these days permit of too curious scrutiny. Though I know that a Virgin this day gave birth, and I believe that God was begotten before all time, yet the manner of this generation I have learned to venerate in silence and I accept that this is not to be probed too curiously with wordy speech. For with God we look not for the order of nature, but rest our faith in the power of Him who works.

What shall I say to you; what shall I tell you? I behold a Mother who has brought forth; I see a Child come to this light by birth. The manner of His conception I cannot comprehend.

Nature here rested, while the Will of God labored. O ineffable grace! The Only Begotten, Who is before all ages, Who cannot be touched or be perceived, Who is simple, without body, has now put on my body, that is visible and liable to corruption. For what reason? That coming amongst us he may teach us, and teaching, lead us by the hand to the things that men cannot see. For since men believe that the eyes are more trustworthy than the ears, they doubt of that which they do not see, and so He has deigned to show Himself in bodily presence, that He may remove all doubt.

Christ, finding the holy body and soul of the Virgin, builds for Himself a living temple, and as He had willed, formed there a man from the Virgin; and, putting Him on, this day came forth; unashamed of the lowliness of our nature’. For it was to Him no lowering to put on what He Himself had made. Let that handiwork be forever glorified, which became the cloak of its own Creator. For as in the first creation of flesh, man could not be made before the clay had come into His hand, so neither could this corruptible body be glorified, until it had first become the garment of its Maker.

What shall I say! And how shall I describe this Birth to you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment. The Ancient of days has become an infant. He Who sits upon the sublime and heavenly Throne, now lies in a manger. And He Who cannot be touched, Who is simple, without complexity, and incorporeal, now lies subject to the hands of men. He Who has broken the bonds of sinners, is now bound by an infants bands. But He has decreed that ignominy shall become honor, infamy be clothed with glory, and total humiliation the measure of His Goodness.

For this He assumed my body, that I may become capable of His Word; taking my flesh, He gives me His spirit; and so He bestowing and I receiving, He prepares for me the treasure of Life. He takes my flesh, to sanctify me; He gives me His Spirit, that He may save me.

Come, then, let us observe the Feast. Truly wondrous is the whole chronicle of the Nativity. For this day the ancient slavery is ended, the devil confounded, the demons take to flight, the power of death is broken, paradise is unlocked, the curse is taken away, sin is removed from us, error driven out, truth has been brought back, the speech of kindliness diffused, and spreads on every side, a heavenly way of life has been ‘in planted on the earth, angels communicate with men without fear, and men now hold speech with angels.

Why is this? Because God is now on earth, and man in heaven; on every side all things commingle. He became Flesh. He did not become God. He was God. Wherefore He became flesh, so that He Whom heaven did not contain, a manger would this day receive. He was placed in a manger, so that He, by whom all things arc nourished, may receive an infant’s food from His Virgin Mother. So, the Father of all ages, as an infant at the breast, nestles in the virginal arms, that the Magi may more easily see Him. Since this day the Magi too have come, and made a beginning of withstanding tyranny; and the heavens give glory, as the Lord is revealed by a star.

To Him, then, Who out of confusion has wrought a clear path, to Christ, to the Father, and to the Holy Ghost, we offer all praise, now and for ever. Amen.

“I was there.” Those are the words that someday I will be able to say to my children and my children’s children. Today marked an amazing day in the history of the United States as President Barack Obama took office as the 44th President of this country. I spent the morning with thousands of other people watching the Inauguration simulcast on a big screen in front of City Hall in a scene that could only be described as surreal. There was a great sense of anticipation, a tremendous amount of jubilee and excitement in what many could only classify as “hope” seized the day.

I remember the party we went to on November 4th, the night the votes were tallied and the will of the people was expressed. There were cheers and shouts of excitement, tears shed as people hugged and sobbed for a new belief in what could be possible at this moment. Today was the realization of that moment 2 1/2 months ago.

As I stood among the crowd I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of emotion that took place. Directly in front of me a couple stood embraced with tears pouring down their face after Obama took the oath of office. Another man to my right openly sobbed as he held his arms high with clenched fists before shouting at the top of his lungs with what I can only describe as a shout of freedom. All throughout the crowd scenes such as these took place over and over again. Never before have I seen so much emotion, so much hope, and so many dreams for a brighter tomorrow than I did today on the faces of the people of San Francisco.

Nelson Mandela wrote a letter to President Obama that was delivered today that masterfully captures the tone that many in San Francisco and around the world are experiencing today:

“Your election has inspired the people around the world more than any other recent event… Amongst many in the world there is a sense of hopelessness that had set in as so many problems remain unresolved and seemingly incapable of being resolved. You Mr. President have brought a new voice of hope that these problems can in fact be mastered.”

Today is a new day, and President Obama’s voice is one for the ages. Let us continue to hope, continue to pray and begin working hard to see the change in this world that we dream possible.