There were once two villages in a far-off land …
one in a valley and one on a mountain top.
The people in the valley were having a difficult
time, but those in the mountain village were doing well.
The folks on the mountain top wanted to give each
person in the valley a gift of love at Christmas.
So a committee was formed of towns people to see
if someone could think of something special
(money was limited). Each gift had to be of equal
value to each person.
After much time, discussion and consideration, a
decision was finally made. An elderly gentleman,
who had loved Jesus for many years and was well
respected, came up with the idea of the “candy cane.”
Now, you are thinking, what is so special about a
candy cane and how can it ever be tied with Christmas??
Here is how and why:
The candy cane is in the shape of a shepherd’s staff.
Jesus is our shepherd and we are his flock. A sheep
follows his own shepherd, knows his voice, trusts
him and knows he is totally safe with him.
A sheep will follow no other shepherd but his own.
This is how we are to be with Jesus if we truly follow him.
The wide red stripe represents the blood he shed on the
cross for each one of us so we can have eternal life
through him. He redeems us and cleanses us with His shed
blood which is the only thing that can wash our sins away.
The white stripe represents the sinlessness and purity of
our Lord. He is the only human being who ever lived on this
earth who never committed on single sin. Even though he was
tempted, just as we are, he never sinned.
Upside down the candy cane is a “J” … the first letter
in Jesus’ name.
The narrow red stripe represents that by his stripes or
wounds, we are healed. Before 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.
The flavoring in the candy cane is peppermint which is
similar to hyssop. Hyssop is of the mint family and was
used in the Old Testament for purification and sacrifice.
When we break our candy cane, it reminds us that Jesus’
body was broken for us. When we have communion, this
is our reminder of what He did for us.
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.
God gave himself to us when He sent Jesus. He loves us so much
He wants us to share eternal life with Him which we can do if
we accept Jesus in our hearts as Savior and Lord.
This little story brings our Lord Jesus Christ into a candy cane,
which is a part of Christmas to many people. It is with hope
that any time you see a candy cane, you will think of Him,
and it will have an even more important meaning to you.