An Amish Christmas

By CHRISTY JOHNSON
Staff Writer

Christmas in an Amish household is a time when family and friends gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to remember the true meaning of the season.

On Dec. 25, members of the Amish community wake up and fast until they eat their Christmas feast.

The fast, which is also done on Thanksgiving Day, is to symbolize their gratitude to God for the provisions he has provided for them, said Atlee Miller, a tour-guide at the Amish Mennonite Information Center.

Fasting is ended with a feast, usually held at noon, with traditional dishes like mashed potatoes, chicken and noodles.

After the meal, the family gathers to sing German and English songs of praise and celebration.

Songs like "The First Noel" are traditionally sung on Christmas, said Mary Miller, Atlee's wife.

Gifts also are given as part of the day's festivities.

Sometimes there is a church service on Christmas, but, because Amish church services are often held in homes, there might not be one.

"Earlier in my lifetime we had more times when we had church on Christmas, not as much anymore," Atlee Miller said. "Maybe, it is simply the idea that people want to just get together as family."

While there are many Christmas traditions that might be similar to that in an English household, there are also many differences.

One of those differences is the Amish do not decorate for Christmas.

There is no Christmas tree, although some families might put up some type of greenery, Atlee Miller said.

"We feel when people have a Christmas tree it loses sight of what Christmas is all about," he said. "It is more like a festival if you have all the extras."

The biggest difference might be the recognition of a "second Christmas," called Epiphany, Atlee Miller said.

Epiphany is held on Jan. 6 every year.

On this day, the Amish celebrate the magi (the wisemen) finding the Christ child.

Atlee Miller said on Jan 6 there are no gifts.

"It is more of a sacred day, and it is more solemn," he said. "Again we have a fast in the morning and families get together, but there is no celebrating."

It also more common to have church services on the Epiphany, he said.

Reporter Christy Johnson can be reached at 330-287-1638 or cjohnson@the-daily-record.com.