Fresh Fiction Blog | Karen Harper | Christmas Among The Amish

It should come as no surprise that the Amish celebrate Christmas differently from us "worldly" people. That was one of the interesting elements of Amish life I emphasized in my current romantic suspense, UPON A WINTER'S NIGHT. The story begins near Thanksgiving, a day they also observe. No one does better than the Amish for events celebrating family and food!

Although their Thanksgiving is similar to that of most Americans, the Plain People really tone things down for Christmas. Despite the fact they are basically German-speaking, long-time immigrants, they do not go along with the German-inspired tradition (through Queen Victoria's German husband Prince Albert) of decorated and lighted Christmas trees in the home. I used a Christmas tree farm in the story but not one run by or patronized by the Amish.

Amish holiday decorations include things like candles, fruit, nuts and nature's other bounty—but nothing shiny or showy. Certainly no Santas and not even manger scenes, because they do not like graven images of people's faces. Still, they will visit an outdoor manager scene. The heroine's true love in UPON A WINTER'S NIGHT has a farm with exotic animals like camels he rents out for church or outdoor Christmas tableaus.

The Amish are so upset by the huge commercialization of Christmas that there is a movement among some of them to ignore the Dec. 25^th date and celebrate it on "Amish Christmas," January 6, Epiphany, from the historical religious day of the centuries-old calendar. Epiphany is the traditional day of the arrival of the wise men from the East--probably the first non-Jews to see the baby Jesus. To the Amish, that shows that anyone can approach and worship the Lord.

However, like most of us, Amish Christmas is a day for family, eating and fun. If people think the Amish are kill-joys, they are mistaken. They love a good joke, like to sing and are willing to give their young people a "running around time" before they can decide—on their own—whether to commit to the church and Amish way of life. (Please ignore those Amish reality shows on TV. Very exploitative and often off base!)

But the Amish do have a saying, "It's not all cakes and pies." In other words, there are serious moments in life, but they are balanced with blessings and good times. In UPON A WINTER'S NIGHT, there is danger and romance but also a realistic look at the joys of Amish Christmas.

Karen Harper is the NY Times bestselling author of romantic suspense and historical novels. She and her husband divided their time between Ohio and Florida. Please visit her website at www.KarenHarperAuthor.com

Win a copy of UPON A WINTER'S NIGHT by telling us what your favorite part of Christmas is.

Comments

Family together for meals and storytelling.
(Sharon Berger 10:40am November 6, 2013)

I love ALL things Christmas - but the best part of all is the MEANING of Christmas - the SPIRIT of Christmas. Your book sounds marvelous - I love all your books. Thanks for this chance to win. Best of luck with this book and all you do.
(Nancy Reynolds 10:48am November 6, 2013)

I'm so excited that there is another book of yours just waiting for me to read! I love your stories. I have always been a huge fan of reading stories revolving around the amish, but nobody brings the mystery in to it like you do. Thanks for sharing!
(Stephanie Strausberger 11:00am November 6, 2013)

My favorite part of Christmas is the first gift of Christmas. No not the material things. The gift of love God gave us all, His son and our Savior Christ. Christ who we remember with the first part of CHRISTmas. May you all be blessed this Christmas and the New Year.
(Rachon Ward 11:22am November 6, 2013)

I just love family and friends being together during this special season.
(Barbara Wells 12:18pm November 6, 2013)

I love all Karen Harper's books and have several on my shelves here at home. I love to read all Christmas books and this one regarding the Amish would be great! Thanks!!
(Bonnie Capuano 12:57pm November 6, 2013)

My favorite part of the Christmas holiday is time spent with family, from putting up the decorations, to Christmas Eve mass, and ending with welcoming in the New Year. The entire time is spent with our loved ones.
(Anna Mekus 1:01pm November 6, 2013)

My favorite part of Christmas is seeing my grandchildren's faces as we
gather together for food and fun.
(Melanie Backus 1:18pm November 6, 2013)

I enjoyed reading about how the Amish celebrate christmas and Thanksgiving.
My favorite part of Christmas is being with the grandkids and seeing them open
presents.
(Jackie Wisherd 1:21pm November 6, 2013)

My favorite part of Christmas is sitting around the table after our evening meal & reliving Christmas' of the past. The stories have us laughing until we're in tears. A couple of months ago, we lost our main story teller, our brother, & so sadly our stories will change somewhat. But he will be in each & every one of them. We know his spirit will still be with us, & that will keep our Christmas stories alive. Christmas is a beautiful time of year, full of love & traditions.
(S W 1:27pm November 6, 2013)

My favorite part of Christmas is giving. I started last year by giving my two older grandchildren money and they made a list and I let them shop for gifts for grandmother, father and step-mom (my daughter) - not Grandma (me) and grandpa as it was part of our gift to them. My granddaughter begged to do it again this year as she said I was right - giving was the best part. I love the delight in my grandchildren's eyes when they open their gifts. I will put up my tree this year especially for my grandchildren.
(Jane Squires 2:13pm November 6, 2013)

I really miss Christmas at my maternal grandmother's house. She never had any money, so Christmas was always about family and food and being close. Her giblet gravy was to die for! One year my mom had had hand surgery close to Tahnks giving, and my grandmother cooked Thanksgiving dinner at our house. That was the most wonderful Thanksgiving I can remember! I try and make Thanksgiving about giving thanks for all our blessings. We always tell what we are most thankful for at our house. And we have so much to be thankful for!
(Sandy Fielder 2:16pm November 6, 2013)

OOOOPPSS! I wrote about Thanksgiving and meant to write about Christmas! And, I didn't check my spelling. Sorry. My grandmother's Christmas was also about family and food witrh few commercial trappings. How did we get so far away from that? She would have the grandchildren (like me) read the bible version of the Christmas story. All us grandchildren would sit at a separate table for Christmas dinner, and we had more fun that way anyway! Grandma was a very religious lady, and she was my foundation and rock. I sure miss her still.
(Sandy Fielder 2:21pm November 6, 2013)

Favorite part of Christmas, spending time with family and friends.
(Jean Patton 2:42pm November 6, 2013)

Family..... getting to spend time with my extended family is absolutely the best.
(Betty Hamilton 2:50pm November 6, 2013)

Spending time with family is the most important part.
(Wilma Frana 2:56pm November 6, 2013)

Hands down - my favorite part of Christmas is slowing down
from the usual pace and spending lots of time with family and
close friends!
(Marguerite Guinn 3:47pm November 6, 2013)

My favorite part of Christmas is all the beautiful Christmas music.
(Sue Farrell 3:48pm November 6, 2013)

Christmas is being with family and enjoying talking with each other about the days gone by and family members no longer with us. Memories.
(C Culp 4:53pm November 6, 2013)

Christmas is the one time of year our whole family is together, so that is the best part.
(Joanne Schultz 6:43pm November 6, 2013)

Wow, Congrats on your new book: UPON A WINTER'S NIGHT. I
love the book cover too! My favorite part of Christmas is
that Jesus Christ was born and came to save us all. GOD gave
us the best Christmas present of all time by sending his
holy Son to save the world from our sins. I was adopted and
can relate to this book for sure and would love to win it
and read it this Fall. Thank You very much. Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 7:02pm November 6, 2013)

My favorite part of Christmas is spending time with family and sharing good food and past memories and stories with everyone. Our family keeps growing with more grandchildren (my son had twins this year and my other son is expecting next year). Very beautiful book cover!
(Linda Luinstra 7:13pm November 6, 2013)

I love being parked for several weeks at my desk handwriting notes and some letters to dear, far flung friends and relatives in specially selected Christmas cards--as well as addressing envelopes decorated with special stickers.....while listening to my favorite Christmas music alternating with Christmas films I've curated over the years.....and sipping hot tea in Christmas china! When, finally, the cards are delivered to the Post Office, I know that my messages will greet everyone on time and convey my affection and good wishes to those important in my life.
(Carla Schuller 11:20pm November 6, 2013)

It's Christmas Caroling. I remember going out with my friends and we would be going from house to house caroling. I miss those days.
(Kai Wong 12:15pm November 7, 2013)

I love the gift-buying. I adore that 'click' I get when I see that perfect gift for someone! :-)
(Chelsea Brooks 12:59pm November 7, 2013)

Spending time with our extended family - children,
grandchildren and soon great grandchildren - just to be part
of their lives. :)
(Dianne McVetty 2:25am November 7, 2013)

Christmas for me means being with family
(Chris Coulson 5:37am November 7, 2013)

i love spending time with my family and watching the kids open
up their gifts christmas morning
(Denise Smith 8:10am November 7, 2013)

I enjoyed reading Dark Crossings and like reading about a simpler way of life. I must look out for this book too. Christmas is a great time to relax and give gifts and meet friends and family.
(Clare O'Beara 9:41am November 7, 2013)

My favorite part of Christmas is family and tradition.
(Pamela Jaenke 10:00am November 7, 2013)

The closeness of family and friends, naturally. But, outside of that my favorite Christmas thibng is the houses all decorated with lights and garland, inside and out.
(Vennie Martinisi 10:17am November 7, 2013)

My favorite part of Christmas is spending time with my family, the Christmas tree and the music, and remembering what the season is all about.
(Kathy Morrison 10:30am November 7, 2013)

My favorite part of Christmas is baking!! I love to bake my Mother's cookies, especially, and sharing them with family and friends to enjoy. She passed away 11 years ago, and it's my way of being close to her, and keeping her memory alive. I'm actually the only one out of our immediate family who still makes any of her recipes. I don't know if my Sisters are just lazy, or just figure that I'm the one that's going to bake her cookies and make her other recipes, so they can just sit back and enjoy the spoils, so to speak!! lol I don't mind it. As soon as December hits, my friends start asking me if I'm going to be baking my cookies, so I know I'm doing a good job!!
(Peggy Roberson 10:34am November 7, 2013)

I've never read a book about the Amish, especially at Christmas time. Sounds good!
(Richard Proctor 10:45am November 7, 2013)

My favorite thing about Christmas is sending cards, baking and decorating so I can include all my family and close friends. To me it isn't about the gifts but to cherish those who are still here in my life and to remember the ones who are passed. It is about Christ's birth and taking time to acknowledge that.
(Jackie McNutt 10:46am November 7, 2013)

My family is from Italy, & the Amish traditions sound similar
to our's, just scaled down. Sounds like a great Christmas
book!
(Maria Proctor 10:53am November 7, 2013)

I love spending time with my family and the food. But I have to admit my mom and I really love to decorate as well. It just makes us happy and festive.
(Pam Howell 11:12am November 7, 2013)

My grandma's father was what they called "jerked over" Amish. So, I grew up with wonderful Amish food. Christmas Eve was at her house. They had a small Christmas tree with bubble lights on it.
My favorite treat on Christmas Eve was her oyster stew. Made with whole milk and fresh oysters and their liquor.
(Cicely Kohlmeier 11:41am November 7, 2013)

having everyone over on Christmas Eve
(Patricia Lambert 12:20pm November 7, 2013)

Love your books. Would love to win.
(Virginia Winfield 12:22pm November 7, 2013)

I love the excitement of searching for gifts and Christmas music, but being with my family is my favorite part of Christmas.
(Anna Speed 5:25pm November 7, 2013)

I love watching my grandsons open their gifts.
(Rita Wray 7:15pm November 7, 2013)

I love having dinner with extended family - in particular my four sisters.
(MaryAnne Banks 10:12pm November 7, 2013)

My favorite part of Christmas is all the sweets the relatives bring. Some are classics that we've always had but there is always something new to try.
(Laura Gullickson 11:25pm November 7, 2013)

I love catching up with family. Decorating the Christmas tree
is always fantastic fun.
(Mary Preston 11:41pm November 8, 2013)

My favorite part of the holidays is getting together with
family and friends, the food (of course), singing carols
around the piano and smelling bayberry candles and the woodsy
smell of fresh pine in wreaths and evergreen trees.
(Alyson Widen 12:17pm November 9, 2013)

As most other comments, family is the key part for me--but I
also love cooking and baking, and both the sharing of old
memories and the creation of new ones.
(Janet Martin 7:54am November 10, 2013)

My favorite parts of Christmas are the food, baking cookies visiting family and friends.
(Carol Woodruff 6:10pm November 10, 2013)

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