Amish do celebrate Christmas, but they have their own traditions and customs, and they are reflected in the way they celebrate this holiday. They have the same faith in Christ and Christmas as other Christians but do not celebrate it in the same way that people in North America do. There won’t be any Christmas trees, excessive holiday lighting, or frazzled parents rushing to locate the ideal presents for their kids before taking them to visit Santa. Most Amish people think that things like these take away from Christ’s message. Instead, they concentrate on two fundamental themes during the Christmas season: Christ and family. They meditate on their faith throughout the holiday. Some Amish celebrate Christmas on January 6 (“Old Christmas”) instead of December 25.
-> See also: Do Mormons Celebrate Christmas? Yes and No
How Do Amish Celebrate Christmas?
Simply Existing
- The Amish believe in humble living, and this is why you’ll mostly see basic objects like harvest baskets, hanging file baskets, and Easter baskets in their houses during Christmas.
- They don’t put up Christmas trees or string lights because they think such things take away from the spirit of the holiday.
- In addition to the traditional Christmas tree, Amish houses may also be decorated with wreaths, angels, garland, and other greenery.
Visiting Relatives
- Christmas is a time for the Amish to gather with their loved ones.
- They don’t give each other expensive or showy Christmas gifts. Handmade products, such as quilts or dolls, are often given as presents as a symbol of the value placed on Amish tradition and skill.
Worship during Christmastime
- Depending on the Amish church, the Christmas service may or may not occur on December 25.
- When the Christmas service is conducted on December 25th, they read some necessary texts and scripture pertaining to the holiday.
- The Amish observe Christmas as a time to meditate on the meaning of the holiday in light of their religious principles.
Seasonal Shows
- In every Amish school, the highlight of the year is the Christmas performance presented by the students.
- Christmas-themed music, poetry, and skits are performed.
- Annually, the school’s Christmas Eve program marks the season’s high point. While munching on Christmas treats, the kids perform Christmas-themed readings and songs for their parents and instructors.
Seasonal Greetings
- The Amish traditionally handcraft Christmas cards depicting a scenario from the Bible, such as the shepherds in the field or the birth of Jesus.
- These cards are a way to spread holiday cheer by exchanging greetings with loved ones.
-> See also: Discover Who Really Wrote the Night Before Christmas
Amish Christmas Compared to Mainstream American Christmas
There are significant differences between how the Amish and the rest of America celebrate Christmas. They do commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ but they do not join in the customary rituals of a North American Christmas.
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is not given much importance in Amish Christmas festivities since they put more emphasis on the theological elements of remembering the birth of Jesus than on the secular. But some communities, particularly more liberal ones, see Santa Claus as a harmless addition, while others, notably more traditional ones, are less inclined to do so. Interestingly, some progressive New Order Amish are actually less likely to embrace Santa in their Christmas festivities than more traditional Amish communities, despite their lenient leanings.
Snowman
The Amish attitude toward the Christmas snowman is consistent with their broader approach to the holiday. They highlight the religious components and often eschew secular symbols, such as the snowman. Because of their rejection of secular themes, you won’t see Christmas trees, plastic snowmen, or holly in Amish houses. Because of their devotion to modesty and minimalism, they don’t do anything fancy for the holidays.
Decorations
No Christmas trees or elaborate decorations can be seen in Amish houses during Christmas. On the other hand, they may put up some greenery and light candles. But you won’t see candy canes, stockings, or mistletoe around.
Gifts
There are certain Amish communities where gift-giving is practiced, but it is not nearly as commercialized as it is in the rest of American society. Children of school age are more likely to exchange presents; these gifts tend to be small and handy. Among the Amish, it is also a common practice to make their own “stamped” Christmas cards from scratch.
Curriculum Plans
The annual Amish Christmas presentation in the one-room schoolhouse features the youngsters of the community. The kids put on a Christmas concert where they perform songs, skits, and readings of poetry. Guests wouldn’t be able to see this. Only close relatives and, on rare occasions, acquaintances and neighbors.
How the Amish View Holidays and Celebrations
The Amish observe a wide variety of holidays, some of which are exclusive to their faith but many of which are shared with the general population. Some of the most widely observed Amish festivals and customs include:
Christmas
The Amish often observe Christmas on December 25 since it is the day traditionally accepted as Christ’s birth and it’s the most revered celebration in their culture. They don’t put up displays like Christmas trees and lights as non-Amish do.
Instead, they decorate with some candles and greenery or hang a Christmas tree upside down. Because, as the story goes, in the 7th century, Benedictine monk Saint Boniface tried to discourage heathen veneration of an oak tree by hanging a fir tree upside down to symbolize the Holy Trinity.
On the 26th of December, they have “Second Christmas,” a day of rest and socializing with relatives. To save the ladies from having to spend yet another day in the kitchen, they all bring a dish to share for another family feast.
Easter
Easter Sunday in April is another important holiday for the Amish. They start on Good Friday, which is a day of fasting and prayer. Amish youngsters decorate eggs, despite the absence of the Easter Bunny in their tradition. Many Amish are also off work on “Easter Monday,” returning on Tuesday.
Ascension Day
This is an Amish celebration that is typically observed on the sixth Thursday following Easter Sunday. Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus allegedly ascended back to heaven on this day.
Pentecost Monday
Another celebration of the Amish community occurs 50 days following Easter Sunday. The day the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus’ disciples is celebrated as Pentecost. This event is recorded in Acts.
Thanksgiving
The Amish celebrate Thanksgiving in the same way as other groups do. They see it as a time for getting together with relatives. The Amish version of Thanksgiving comprises a typical meal with all the trimmings, including turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and more.
Old Christmas
Old Christmas, observed by the Amish on January 6, is an alternative holiday. Historically, this is when the Magi supposedly arrived in Bethlehem in search of the newborn Jesus. The Amish observe this day as a family day, with visiting and dining similar to Christmas Day but without the exchanging of presents. On this day, Amish stores are closed.
The Amish ignore the Fourth of July, as well as Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Halloween. They are non-resistant and do not believe in going to battle.
Explanation of the Amish Religion
The Old Order Amish are a collection of conservative Christian churches that trace their roots back to Switzerland and France via the Alsace region. They have many commonalities with the Mennonite churches, another Anabaptist group. The Amish community believes that their faith is best shown via their actions rather than shown off. They believe in the importance of a basic, unadorned lifestyle, as well as Gelassenheit (submission to God’s will), manual work, modesty, and peace.
A culture of martyrdom has profoundly influenced the Amish. In the sixteenth century, many of their religious ancestors were martyred. The religious persecution is documented in the 1,100-page Martyrs Mirror, which was originally published in Dutch in 1660 and then in German and English. They feel worldliness may hinder them from being near to God, which might bring forces that may be damaging to their communities and their way of life.
Some fundamental tenets of the Amish faith are as follows:
- Origins: They originated in the 16th century as a breakaway group from European state churches associated with the Anabaptist movement.
- Beliefs: The Amish adhere to many of the tenets of Christianity, but their own unique spirituality is informed by their own unique readings of the Bible and other texts. Their ideas are based on Luther’s German Bible as well as the Ausbund, the Dordrecht Confession of Faith, and the Mirror of the Martyrs (see: Dirk Willems: Man Who Refused to Escape to Save His Pursuer).
- Lifestyle: The Amish way of life is famously low-key and unassuming. They live in complete seclusion from the rest of civilization, refusing to use modern technology. Their religion inspires these values in them: modesty, family, community, and seclusion from the outside world.
- Language: Pennsylvania Dutch, Bernese German, Low Alemannic Alsatian German, Amish High German, and English are the common languages spoken among these people.
