The Origin and meaning of the Candy Cane

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 in public by the crosses they wore on their clothing, or as jewelry.

During this time, it is told, there was a dedicated Christian candy maker who set out to find some way for members of the Christian family 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, he placed three small red stripes round the candy 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 Christ shed upon the Cross for each of us, and the forgiveness of our sins.

We 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 that you will use this story of the candy cane to tell others what Christ has done in your life. Doesn't it seem strange that something we often see as unimportant and insignificant can be turned into something so 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!!

Merry Christmas 1