Fred,

>"Merry xmas" - Merry (or Happy) Christmas. Either one is pretty acceptable. AFAIK, the "x" in xmas is a symbolic of the cross that Christ was crucified on. I don't know that for sure, but that is how it was explained to me once.

The X corresponds to the Greek letter Chi which was (and I don't know if this was absolutely correct) an abbreviation of the word "Christ". X does have some symbolism within the Christian world, however. If you ever seen some one wearing t a lapel pin with just an X, they're probably a member of the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew. In that case, the X does symbolize the cross that he (St. Andrew) was crucified on.