Originally, I intended to just drop a short comment on how international this phenomenon is. Which doesn't make it any better, because it makes international understanding even worse.
Then I noticed, that quite a number of interesting topics have been raised here, and I probably have to think a little more before I come up with something usefull.
Just one more comment on Chris' explanation: What do you refere to as early (obviously english speaking) Christians? This {Link} comes up with another explanation. To me, the similarity between "christ" and "cross" looks more like coincidence. Or maybe it's just because I dislike the term xmas as well.
Originally, I intended to just drop a short comment on how international this phenomenon is. Which doesn't make it any better, because it makes international understanding even worse.
Then I noticed, that quite a number of interesting topics have been raised here, and I probably have to think a little more before I come up with something usefull.
Just one more comment on Chris' explanation: What do you refere to as early (obviously english speaking) Christians? This {Link} comes up with another explanation. To me, the similarity between "christ" and "cross" looks more like coincidence. Or maybe it's just because I dislike the term xmas as well.