Английский Этимологический словарь - christ

- O.E. crist, from L. Christus, from Gk. khristos "the annointed" (translation of Heb. mashiah, see messiah), from khriein "to rub, annoint." The L. term drove out O.E. hжland "healer" as the prefered descriptive term for Jesus. A title, treated as a proper name in O.E., but not regularly capitalized until 17c. Pronunciation with long -i- is result of Ir. missionary work in England, 7c.-8c. Christmas is O.E. Cristes mжsse and retains original vowel sound; Father Christmas first attested in a carol attributed to Richard Smart, Rector of Plymtree (Devon) from 1435-77. Christmas tree first attested 1835 in Amer.Eng., from Ger. Weihnachtsbaum. Christmas cards first designed 1843, popular by 1860s.