A Quiet Turning Toward Old Christmas
Warm greetings from the Heartland as the first week of January settles in. The air has turned crisp again, with nighttime lows dipping into the teens. The ponds across the countryside are beginning to freeze in earnest, and many Amish families are quietly hoping the ice will thicken enough in the coming weeks for the ice houses to be filled. It is a familiar Winter hope, one that ties the present to generations before them. As the community looks toward Old Christmas on January 6, there is a gentle pause in the pace of daily life, a moment to breathe after the fullness of the December holidays.
Old Christmas holds a special place in Amish communities. It is observed on January 6, twelve days after December 25, and is rooted in the belief that this was the day the wise men reached Bethlehem to see the Christ child. This understanding is shared widely among Amish families and is supported by historical accounts that note January 6 was once the traditional date of Christmas before the shift from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar centuries ago. While most of the world moved to December 25, many Anabaptist groups, including the Amish, continued to honor the older date. Today, the Amish simply celebrate both days, each with its own meaning and pace.
In the days leading up to Old Christmas, preparations look much the same as they did for December 25, only with far less pressure. The rush to finish Christmas baskets has passed, and the families who weave for our community have already turned their thoughts toward Easter baskets and the sewing, crafting, and pie baskets that will be needed for Mother's Day. Homes are tidied, wood is carried in, and meals are planned ahead so the day itself can be restful. Many Amish church members fast until noon on Old Christmas, a tradition that continues across many settlements and is noted in broader descriptions of Amish observance as well.
The day itself is quiet and unhurried. Some families hold church services, while others simply enjoy the chance to sleep in. The foods served are familiar and comforting, often the same dishes enjoyed at Christmas: mashed potatoes, gravy, meatloaf, salads, and pumpkin pie. If no visitors are expected, the meal may be simpler, chosen more for ease than ceremony. The heart of the day is not the menu but the togetherness. For families who were unable to gather on Christmas or the second day of Christmas, Old Christmas becomes the perfect time to exchange gifts or share a meal.
There is a peacefulness to the day that many Amish cherish. Some spend the afternoon reading or writing letters, or catching up in their journals. Others visit neighbors or extended family. One Amish woman recalled that her son was born on Old Christmas, and she remembered the trees outside covered in a hard frost, a sight she still describes as beautiful. These small memories are part of what makes the day meaningful. It is a reminder to slow down, to notice the quiet gifts of Winter, and to appreciate the presence of loved ones. Amish writers and historians note that Old Christmas is often more relaxed than December 25, with fewer expectations and more time for reflection.
For many, the lessons of Old Christmas are simple but lasting. It teaches patience, gratitude, and the importance of stepping away from the busyness of life. It is a day that invites people to see God's presence in the love of family and friends. When Amish parents explain Old Christmas to their children, they speak of the wise men, the old calendar, and the value of keeping traditions that remind them of their faith. What they hope their children carry forward is not only the story of the day but the feeling of it, the sense that time spent together is one of life's greatest blessings.
Stories from Our Amish Basket Weavers
Here are a few of the most notable moments from the families who weave the beautiful baskets featured on AmishBaskets.com, shared with us this week.
The Mast Family
The Mast home has been a lively place this past week as the men tackled an unexpected project. A small puddle near the foundation of their home revealed that the water line running from the house to the barn had begun to leak. Since the line is buried four feet underground, the only option was to dig it out by hand. Holiday visitors and cousins pitched in, turning the chore into a shared effort. By the end of one afternoon and the following morning, the leak was uncovered and repaired. No one is quite sure why the old splice failed after so many years, but the family is grateful it was caught before the coldest weather arrived.
The Yoder Family
David Yoder and his oldest son joined about twenty Amish men and boys for a deer drive at a nearby public lake this past week. They traveled together in a van and a couple of trucks, sharing stories and good humor on the way. The group returned with twenty-one deer, enough to help many families fill their freezers for Winter. David's wife joked that the deer do not stand much chance when the men work together like that. David was one of the few who came home empty-handed, though his daughters still felt a little sorry for the deer, especially during large hunts when the odds are not in the deer's favor. The day was still enjoyed for the fellowship it brought.
"A day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work, so trust in the Lord."
— Amish Wisdom
