How to Celebrate Christmas like the Pennsylvania Amish

How to Celebrate Christmas like the Pennsylvania Amish

Do Amish Celebrate Christmas? Yes they do and it is a beautiful way to celebrate. How do the Amish Celebrate Christmas is an entirely different thing altogether. The Amish have their own Christmas holiday traditions.The Amish are a simple people who believe that the commercialism of the American Culture is idolatry. They still recognize, however, the meaning of Christmas, which is the birth of the Messiah. So, they continue to celebrate with the rest of the United States, while maintaining a simple standard of living. Typically, the Amish celebrate many of the holidays as the rest of the US including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Good Friday and Easter. They also celebrate many others such as the Ascension Day, Pentecost, and Whit Monday. The following steps can be taken in order to understand exactly how do Amish celebrate Christmas so that you can do it yourself if you like.

1. Do not put up decorations. Due to the cultural modeling of the Amish society which removes any commercialism, the Amish do not decorate for Christmas or any holiday for that matter.

2. Do not give gifts from Santa Clause. Santa Clause is also not a part of their Christmas holiday traditions as it would take away from the significance of the solemn intent of the celebration. You can put on Christmas programs and that sort of thing; however, you should adhere to modesty guidelines, focusing on the birth of Christ and removing as many elements of traditional US celebratory practices as possible which might take away from the meaning.

3. Do give gifts. Gift giving is a minimal part of the celebration. This is done in the true Amish nature of modesty and is intended specifically to be in the spirit of thanksgiving, acknowledging their appreciation for those they love. The gift giving is done on the day after Christmas.

4. Do celebrate the Birth of Christ. This is done on December 25th; however, the rest of the celebration is done on the day after Christmas. December 25th is a day of prayer and to meditate on God’s Word and the birth of Christ. You can fast on this day as well.

5. Do gather with family and friends as part of the Christmas holiday traditions, on the day after. This day is more like the Christmas that the rest of us celebrate. Have a big feast, letting nothing go to waste and spend time enjoying the company of those you love.

Tips & Warnings

• How do the Amish Celebrate Christmas can actually be a very complicated thing. It is best to make sure you have a strong spiritual leader to head up the event.

Resources

• Do Amish Celebrate Christmas
• Get the extra cash you need