Candy Cane |
A
story on the origin and meaning |
| 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 recognise one
another in public by the crosses they wore on their
clothing as jewellery. 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 the 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 that you see a candy cane you will be reminded of the love God has for you, 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. God loves each and every one of us, have a blessed Christmas as we remember the birth of His Son, Jesus. |
Copyright © 2000 Bush Church Aid Society of Australia |