 There
once were two villages in a far off land. One was in a valley and one was
on a mountain top. The people in the mountain village wanted to give each
person in the valley a gift of love at Christmas. The people in the valley
were having difficult times, but those in the mountain village were doing
well. (Sometimes when we are on a mountain top we can help those who are
going through a valley in their lives too.)
So
a committee was formed of townspeople to see if someone would be able to
think of something special. Money was limited, and each gift had to be
of equal value to each person. After much time and discussion a decision
was finally reached. An elderly gentleman who had loved Jesus for many
years and who was well respected and loved, came up with the idea of the
candy cane.
Now, you may be thinking, what is so special about a candy
cane and how can it ever be tied in with the real meaning of Christmas?
Well, here is how and why...
1.
The candy cane is in the shape of a shepherds staff. Jesus is our Shepherd
and we are His flock. A sheep follows his own shepherd, knows his voice,
and trusts him and knows that he is totally safe with him. The sheep will
follow no other shepherd but their own. This is how we are to be with Jesus
if we truly follow Him (John
10:11; Psalm 23:1;
Isaiah 40:11)
2. Upside down the candy cane is a "J", the
first letter of Jesus' name. (Luke
1:31) It is made of hard candy to remind us that Christ is the rock
of our salvation.
3. The wide red stripes on the candy cane represent the
blood He shed on the cross for each one of us so that we can have eternal
life through Him. He redeems us and cleanses us with His shed blood - the
only thing that can wash away our sin. (Luke
22:20)
4.
The white stripes on a candy cane represent the virgin birth, sinless life
and purity of our Lord. He is the only human being who ever lived on this
earth who never committed a single sin. Even though He was tempted just
as we are, He never sinned. (I
Peter: 22)
5. The narrow red stripes on candy canes symbolize that
by His stripes, or wounds, we are healed. Before the crucifixion Jesus
was beaten; the crown of thorns was placed on His head; His back was raw
from the whip. We are healed by those wounds. He bore our sorrows and by
His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah
53:3)
6. The flavoring in the candy cane is peppermint, which
is similar to hyssop. Hyssop is of the mint family and was used in Old
Testament times for purification and sacrifice. (John
19:29; Psalm 51:7)
7. When we break our candy cane it reminds us that Jesus'
body was broken for us. When we have communion it is a reminder of what
He did for us. (I
Cor. 11:24)
8. AND, if we share our candy cane and give some to someone
else in love because we want to, it represents that same love of
Jesus because He is to be shared with one another in love. (I
John 4:7,8)
God gave Himself to us when He sent Jesus. He loved us
so much He wants us to spend eternal life with Him... which we can do if
we accept Jesus in our hearts as Savior and Lord. (John
1:12; John 3:3,16)
Some people believe this story of the candy cane is just a legend. Others
believe it really happened. We do not know for sure exactly how the candy
cane was invented, but there it one thing for certain... it is an excellent
picture of Christ and His love for you.
Story courtesay of: Christian Family Center.
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