From Christopher Jones, Ph.D candidate in early American history at the College of William and Mary:
I’m currently transcribing the journal of Isaac Bradnock, a Methodist missionary in the British West Indies, from December 1802. Without fail, he abbreviates “Christ” as “Xt” and “Christian” as “Xtian.” And he doesn’t even mention the word “Christmas” (or “Xmas”) in his entry for December 25.
Why does Isaac Bradnock hate Christmas?
🙂
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Old English: CrÄ«stesmæsse, meaning “Christ's Mass”
Methodists don't have mass. He didn't hate Baby Jesus, just the Catholics.
Tom,
It was a joke. Sorry if that wasn't clear.
And for what's it's worth, early Methodists in both America and the British Isles followed a modified version of the Anglican liturgical calendar, which did, of course, include scriptural readings and special Sunday services for “Sundays of Advent,” “Christmas-day,” and “Sundays after Christmas.”
Also, those concerned about Bradnock's role in the War on Christmas of yesteryear will be glad to know that the following year (1803), he made mention of “Xtmas” in his diary and spent the day “singing the praises of God.”