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The Candy Cane
The Candy Cane
Gift of Love
Copyright Armando Roy Chaboya, 2007
At a time when many people are so frustrated with Christmas shopping and preparing for their big Christmas party, somehow we seem to know that something is missing. That something is the Christ in Christmas. I have found that at this time of the year it is so easy and natural to share the Christ of Christmas by simply giving people a gift, a candy cane and asking them if they have ever heard the story of the candy cane.
I usually begin by saying “Early Merry Christmas” (I begin doing so late in November) or “When is the last time someone gave you a candy cane?” Most people respond with “Its been years!” And then I ask them “Have you ever heard the story of the candy cane?” Most people say no. What follows then is a story based in part in fact and part in tradition.
The candy cane began as a straight white stick candy made by priests in France in the 1400’s. In the 1670’s a German choirmaster is credited with adding the traditional crook at the top, some suggesting it represented a shepherd’s staff. Whether the choirmaster had the “Good Shepherd” in mind is conjecture. His use of the candy was to keep children quiet during the singing! With this addition, the candy canes could be hung on Christmas trees, another innovation in Europe during the 1600‘s.
The candy cane that is red striped and peppermint flavored is an American innovation. Who first did so and why is lost in history, but many Christians hold to the following story. I tell the story as follows, perhaps with a few embellishments, but the essential message is the same.
Created years ago by an American candy maker in Indiana, in the 1880’s to combat the “rampant materialism” obscuring the true meaning of Christmas, the candy cane was and remains special. It was a hard candy because Jesus is the “Rock of Ages” who can be relied on and on whom the Church is built. All of his promises are a sure foundation for living.
The candy cane was formed as a shepherd’s staff to remind us that Jesus is the “Good Shepherd” who came to seek and save the lost. Flipped upside down, it forms a “J” the first letter of his name, the name given under heaven whereby we must be saved.
The broad white stripes remind us of his virgin birth of Mary and characterizes his sinless life. The three small stripes illustrate the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and recall that by his stripes we are healed. The one large red stripe portrayed the blood that Jesus shed on the Cross to purchase our salvation by washing away our sins. Forgiveness is now available to all!
Last of all, the candy cane is sweet to the taste to remind us that it is “the goodness of God that leads us to salvation. It also brings to mind that if we would only “taste and see that the Lord is good “ we would be drawn to him! The peppermint flavoring was meant to call to our remembrance that Jesus adds such flavor to life for he came that we “might have life and that abundantly.”
The candy maker said, that as long as people remembered and shared this story with others they would never forget the true meaning of Christmas. Now, neither will you! Merry Christmas!
In Jesus, the Reason for the Season,
Rose
Gift of Love
Copyright Armando Roy Chaboya, 2007
At a time when many people are so frustrated with Christmas shopping and preparing for their big Christmas party, somehow we seem to know that something is missing. That something is the Christ in Christmas. I have found that at this time of the year it is so easy and natural to share the Christ of Christmas by simply giving people a gift, a candy cane and asking them if they have ever heard the story of the candy cane.
I usually begin by saying “Early Merry Christmas” (I begin doing so late in November) or “When is the last time someone gave you a candy cane?” Most people respond with “Its been years!” And then I ask them “Have you ever heard the story of the candy cane?” Most people say no. What follows then is a story based in part in fact and part in tradition.
The candy cane began as a straight white stick candy made by priests in France in the 1400’s. In the 1670’s a German choirmaster is credited with adding the traditional crook at the top, some suggesting it represented a shepherd’s staff. Whether the choirmaster had the “Good Shepherd” in mind is conjecture. His use of the candy was to keep children quiet during the singing! With this addition, the candy canes could be hung on Christmas trees, another innovation in Europe during the 1600‘s.
The candy cane that is red striped and peppermint flavored is an American innovation. Who first did so and why is lost in history, but many Christians hold to the following story. I tell the story as follows, perhaps with a few embellishments, but the essential message is the same.
Created years ago by an American candy maker in Indiana, in the 1880’s to combat the “rampant materialism” obscuring the true meaning of Christmas, the candy cane was and remains special. It was a hard candy because Jesus is the “Rock of Ages” who can be relied on and on whom the Church is built. All of his promises are a sure foundation for living.
The candy cane was formed as a shepherd’s staff to remind us that Jesus is the “Good Shepherd” who came to seek and save the lost. Flipped upside down, it forms a “J” the first letter of his name, the name given under heaven whereby we must be saved.
The broad white stripes remind us of his virgin birth of Mary and characterizes his sinless life. The three small stripes illustrate the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and recall that by his stripes we are healed. The one large red stripe portrayed the blood that Jesus shed on the Cross to purchase our salvation by washing away our sins. Forgiveness is now available to all!
Last of all, the candy cane is sweet to the taste to remind us that it is “the goodness of God that leads us to salvation. It also brings to mind that if we would only “taste and see that the Lord is good “ we would be drawn to him! The peppermint flavoring was meant to call to our remembrance that Jesus adds such flavor to life for he came that we “might have life and that abundantly.”
The candy maker said, that as long as people remembered and shared this story with others they would never forget the true meaning of Christmas. Now, neither will you! Merry Christmas!
In Jesus, the Reason for the Season,
Rose
LOL,,,,,Hey Mikesimon! How have you been doing? Good to see you here!
Candy is poison. It's pure sugar. (visualize this: diabetes, glycemic index, obesity, bad teeth)
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