Affirms
Christmas and Easter observed; some communities maintain plain simplicity
Mainstream Mennonite congregations observe Christmas and Easter as meaningful Christian celebrations of the Incarnation and Resurrection. These are occasions for special worship, fellowship, and family gatherings. The denomination does not have theological objections to these observances.
More conservative Old Order Mennonite communities, consistent with their emphasis on simplicity and separation from mainstream culture, may observe these holidays in a more restrained manner, avoiding commercial elements. The spectrum from Old Order to progressive Mennonite means that holiday observance varies considerably across the fellowship.
Key Distinctions
- Christmas easter observed:
- observed — Christmas and Easter are core celebrations of the Christian calendar
- Biblical feasts observed:
- not formally observed; OT feasts are fulfilled in Christ
- Rationale:
- historical events of the Incarnation and Resurrection are celebrated liturgically
Scripture References
Sources
- Mennonite Confession of Faith (1995)