Do the Missouri Amish Celebrate Christmas? Yes, Three Times

Ever have a question pop into your mind that results in you diving down a rabbit hole of searching? That's what happened to me when I wondered if the Missouri Amish celebrate Christmas. I learned they celebrate it - in some cases three times.

I drive by a sign along the highway in Missouri every day that warns to be aware that Amish buggies may be encountered so to be extra careful. Perhaps it's just the fact that it's the Christmas season now, but I got curious about how they feel about what the rest of the world considers Christmas. What I found was interesting.

First of all, World Population Review says there are 57 Amish settlements in Missouri with more than 15,000 residents. How many are celebrating this time of year, though?

The simple answer to the question came from Amish Heritage. They explained that the Amish including the many communities in Missouri DO celebrate Christmas. That fact-finding led me further to the Today I Learned community on Reddit that says the Missouri Amish celebrate Christmas twice. They celebrate the same day the secular world does on December 25, but they also celebrate what they call "Old Christmas" on January 6. That's an acknowledgement of their old world roots.

What is Amish Christmas like?

The Amish Village says they don't put up Christmas trees or lights. But, they do have a spectacular Christmas dinner with "turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, fruits, and plenty of desserts" and a "Christmas pudding" which includes "a cream cheese mixture, layered with red and green gelatin".

They also exchange gifts, but of the simpler variety than what the rest of the world does these days.

Some Missouri Amish celebrate Christmas different though

You will see some very devout Missouri Amish communities that will fast on December 25 and then eat together on December 26 which they call "Second Christmas". When you combine that with December 25 and January 6, you get the three Amish Christmas celebrations.

For the Amish, Christmas is not about material possessions or things. It's a celebration of their faith in the birth of Christ and that's one reason their Christmas gets right what the rest of the world seems to get wrong these days.