We are only two weeks away from Christmas.  The days will pass quickly and it will be here in the blink of an eye.  We are already seeing the beautiful lights and decorations, hearing the familiar strains of Christmas music everywhere we go and enjoying some of our favorite treats that we only get pleasure from during this special season of the year. One of the particular delights of this time of year is always the candy cane which as been around for at least two centuries.  The following is a legend of how the candy cane came to be. 

Many years ago, a candy maker wanted to make a candy at Christmas time that would serve as a witness to his Christian faith.  He wanted to incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry and death of Jesus. He began with a stick of hard white candy; white to symbolize the Virgin Birth, and the sinless nature of Jesus; hardness to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the church; firmness to represent the promise of God.

The candy maker made the candy in the form of a “J” to represent the name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior.  He thought it could also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd, with which he reached down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs, who, like all sheep, have gone astray.

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes.  He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received, by which we were healed. The large red stripe was for the blood Christ shed on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life. Unfortunately, however the candy became known as the candy cane – a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. But the true meaning is still here for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

True or not, it is a wonderful reminder of the exact meaning of Christmas. My hope is every time you enjoy this sweet treat, you will think of the sweet blessing we were given in the form of a baby born in Bethlehem who was sent to save the world. The birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ was the greatest sign of God’s unconditional love for all people.  Thanks be to God.

Patty