We always get a lot of questions from our guests when they come to the Osceola Mill House to explore the life and culture of the Amish. “Why do the Amish not drive cars?” … “Why is a large-wheeled scooter ok for transportation, but a bicycle is not?” … “Why do Amish men wear beards but no mustache?” . We always try to answer these questions honestly, faithfully and patiently.
But all too often visitors come out here to Paradise with a boatload of misconceptions and misinformation, thanks in no small part to reality television and “Amish romance fiction” . I am being absolutely honest when I report that we’ve been asked a whole myriad of well-meaning but ill-informed inquiries, such as “Why does your neighbor have wash out on the line on Wednesday? Monday is wash-day, not Wednesday.”….. or….. “Do they really live like this, or is it all for the benefit of the tourists?”
At times we are asked more detailed questions about the faith and beliefs of the Amish. We have found it necessary on more than one occasion to explain that yes, the Amish are Christian and believe firmly in Jesus Christ as the center of their life. Perhaps some of the confusion is because of the way the Amish dress and live outside of the norms of modern society. Some folks draw reference to the Hassidic Jewish communities who also live insular lives among their own communities. But no comparison could be farther from the truth.
So at this time of year, when our guests are flocking to Lancaster County to enjoy the holiday season with us, we are asked about holiday celebrations among the Amish with surprising frequency. One will observe as they travel throughout this valley, that the only Christmas lights and seasonal decorations are on the homes, like ours, which are obviously “English”. Here on Osceola Mill Road, our neighbors’ homes remain traditionally dark and plain. I understand that can cause confusion, but remember that the Amish reject any outward demonstration that might bring attention in on them.
What we have learned in our sixteen Christmases here in the Pequea Valley is that there are definite, predictable and enjoyable traditions observed by all of the neighbors around us. And joyfully over the years, we have also been included in their celebrations. Many of them involve gathering together. Each family – both the husband’s side and the wife’s side, always gather at the home of an elder for a family dinner during the season. This results in most families traveling to three or more homes to see their extended relations. Gift giving is also very important, but the gifts are smaller and more practical than you will find on QVC. We find ourselves deluged every year with delicious baked goods, homemade canned goods, and very often gifts for the home like a new kitchen mit or a red Christmas spatula. And what an honor it is to be invited by the neighbor kids to come to their school to see their Christmas program! We will be traveling down Osceola Mill Road this week to see the children perform at the one-room school house where our neighbor children all attend. And one Christmas, when we were home alone with Ron recovering from surgery, the entire school walked down to our house to sing Christmas carols to us. All of these celebrations evoke the faith, joy and close ties to friends and family that are a hallmark of life among the Amish community all year long, and especially during the holidays.
So to answer the question that began this post, “Do the Amish celebrate Christmas?”, I can emphatically answer “Yes, indeed! And they do it far better than most of us do!”