What is officially deemed Christmas Day, December 25, has just wrapped up. Other holidays like Hanukkah and cultural celebrations such as Kwanzaa last several days and are currently ongoing. Some may argue that Christmas is still technically going on, too, as there are “12 Days of Christmas,” so to speak. But the sight of folks putting away decorations, packing away snow globes, dragging their trees to the curb, and not even waiting until New Year’s, let alone January 6, is all too common these days.
Yet for some in the United States, the holiday festivities stretch beyond the limits of December 25. Here in the Mid-Atlantic region, we’re fortunate to have such a prominent Amish (and other Anabaptist) population—mainly concentrated in Pennsylvania and other surrounding states. It allows the opportunity to learn firsthand about their unique observations of the Christmas holiday, including their long-held practice of celebrating what’s known as “Second Christmas” on December 26. What’s even more interesting is that even among the Amish, no one can truly specify when these Second Christmas celebrations first began. Yet all can confirm that it has always been a mainstay of their holiday celebrations.
In this Flashback Friday Feature, I’m evaluating what is known about Second Christmas historically. I will also take a look at other long-held Amish Christmas customs and traditions.
The Significance of December 26
Historically, December 26 has long been a significant date, boasting many milestone events, cultural celebrations, and religious observations worldwide. Its tie into serving as the date for most Second Christmas celebrations, though, can most easily be linked to two specific observations. Those are St. Stephen’s Day and Boxing Day.
Observed in several European nations, St. Stephen’s Day is the official feast day of St. Stephen—the first Christian martyr. Designated an official public holiday in such countries as Switzerland and Germany (and many others), it should come as no surprise that the date—traditionally designated to fall on December 26—would hold significant meaning for Anabaptist groups hailing from such regions following their arrival in the New World.
Boxing Day is another longtime holiday tradition that’s long been observed on December 26 (unless December 26 falls on a Sunday). More British in origin, the custom was for tradesmen to collect “Christmas boxes” of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas in gratitude for good service throughout the year. These Christmas boxes would typically be opened on December 26. As a New World transplant, Boxing Day was synonymously regarded as the Second Day of Christmastide for early Colonists.
How Do the Amish Celebrate Second Christmas?
While the establishment of December 26 as a holiday has antiquated renown, the origins for how long the Amish have been celebrating what they refer to as “Second Christmas” are hazy at best. Just the same, they’ve kept up with their long-held traditions for doing so, passing them on to each new generation.
In short, the Amish observation of Second Christmas is an extension of the December 25 Christmas Day holiday. December 25 is set aside as a more intimate occasion, reserved for gathering with immediate family members to read and reflect on scripture at home, enjoy a large meal, and exchange presents. Second Christmas is traditionally a livelier follow-up. This is the time for festive gatherings with extended family and friends, more gift exchanges, and fellowship. It’s also when folks typically visit “shut-ins” who do not leave their homes very often. Because Amish community ties are often closely knit and Amish families tend to be enormous, having a Second Christmas Day is seen as essential.
What About Old Christmas?
Not to be outdone, Amish Christmas tradition notes the observation of “Old Christmas” as well. Let it be known, however, that this other longstanding tradition is not specifically an Amish one; it goes back much further and is observed cross-culturally in many places globally. That’s because it is what it, quite literally, claims to be—the old date on which Christmas used to be celebrated. That all changed in 1582 when the former Julian calendar, based on moon phases, was replaced with the standard Gregorian calendar. This resulted in a Christmas Day shift from January 6 to December 25.
Today, January 6, is often credited as being the Twelfth Day of Christmas—the date when the Magi (Three Wise Men) arrived in Bethlehem to see the Baby Jesus. January 6 has been traditionally referred to by numerous alternate names as well. The Amish typically use “Epiphany” or “Old Christmas” to describe the occasion.
Unlike Christmas and Second Christmas, Old Christmas is a far more solemn affair. It is marked by a time of morning fasting and religious reflection, which typically ends at noon with a large meal. Amish employees take Old Christmas seriously and do not work on January 6. So, expect to find Amish-run businesses closed on this date.
Other Amish Christmas Customs
The Amish have a broad range of other Christmas traditions, some of which coincide with those of “Englishers” (the Amish word for non-Amish folk). Others are uniquely distinct culturally.
One example of the latter is the absence of a Christmas Tree in Amish homes. As plain folk, the Amish keep Christmas simple, with modest décor that may be limited to candles, wreaths, and other accents, omitting any showiness and fanfare.
In keeping Christmas holy, Amish children aren’t brought up to believe that Santa Claus visits their homes at night while they sleep. But it’s worth expanding on my previous mention of gift-giving.
While the Amish do participate in gift exchanges, most are designed to be simple or practical. That doesn’t mean children don’t receive toys, though. Most are homemade, carved-out-of-wood marvels by a loved one or faceless dolls. Likewise, knitted quilts, blankets, crocheted hats, gloves, and scarves are all common, essential items to give and receive—especially at wintertime.
Not all Amish gifts are homemade, however. It’s not uncommon to get a loved one a nice body or bath soap/lotion set from a store like Walmart, for instance, or farm equipment/essentials from a local Tractor Supply. You just won’t find anything overtly over the top.
Another commonality among Amish communities is finding that schoolhouses host annual Christmas programs. These are open for the entire community to come out and enjoy. Even extended English friends are invited to attend. Programs normally comprise songs, skits, and performances by children, keeping with a religious narrative. While not an entirely foreign concept elsewhere, instances of traditional public Christmas pageants have sadly fallen out of favor in modern times. Therefore, these too can be seen as Amish novelties.
As is universally the case with most other folks, the Amish love cooking large meals at Christmas and baking up bountiful sweet treats, primarily cookies. They’re also big on sending greeting cards, just like other folks. In some cases, they’re more into sending out cards than their modern counterparts, who sometimes favor the convenience of E-cards and text message memes over snail mail.
It’s important to note that even among the Amish, there are often distinctions and variations in the way certain customs and traditions are carried out. These may differ by region, state, or even Ordnung. But for the most part, the traditions highlighted here are generally standard by way of Amish Christmas observations and celebrations.