Origin and meaning of the candy cane |
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There was a time, during the
latter part of the 18th century in England, when all religious symbols
were banned from public display. No longer could Christian brothers and
sisters recognize one another by the crosses they wore on their clothing
or as jewelry. A dedicated Christian candy maker, however, set out to find some way for born-again believers in Jesus to identify each other in spite of the ban. He began with a piece of pure white candy to signify the purity and holiness of Jesus Christ. Next he fashioned the candy into the shape of a shepherd's staff as a reminder that our Heavenly Father is the Good Shepherd. Then the candy maker placed three small red stripes around the cane to represent the encompassing power and presence of the Trinity -- the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Finally he placed a single, bold red stripe through the candy to demonstrate the redeeming power of the blood that sinless Jesus shed upon the cross for each of us, and the forgiveness of our sins. |
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We at Mommy & Me hope and pray that each time
you see a candy cane during the holiday season, you will be reminded of
the love God has for you, and the price Christ paid for your salvation.
And we hope you will use this story to tell others what Christ has done in
your life. Doesn't it seem strange something we often see as unimportant and insignificant can be turned into something vibrant, so important, simply by knowing the story of its origin? And yet the real miracle is that God can take each of us, no matter how unimportant or insignificant we may feel, and -- through His work -- turn us into something of incredible worth, value and significance. Let everyone know the truth of Christmas: Jesus is the real reason for the season! |
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