It's Christmas Day today! Hallelujah! Yay!
But wait... I know in some countries, it's still the Eve of Christmas. Nevertheless....
Today, while I was at Mass enjoying our Christmas Day Celebration with my family, the priest homily today really caught my attention. And I was really fascinated with what I heard which I "truthfully" never really thought of it nor gave full thought to it. He began the homily with a story....
It's not exactly like the one below but the gist of it is there.
A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness,
so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols
for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of
pure white, hard candy: white to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless
nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the Foundation of the
Church and firmness of the promises of God.
The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the precious
name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It could also represent the
staff of the Good Shepherd with which He reaches down into the ditches of the
world to lift out the fallen lambs who like all sheep have gone astray. Thinking
that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes.
He used three small stripes for the blood shed by Christ on the cross. So that
we could have the promise of eternal life.
Unfortunately, the candy became known as the Candy Cane. It became a
meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. But meaning is still there for
all those who "Have eyes to see and ears to hear." We pray that this symbol will
again be used to witness to the wonder of Jesus and His great love that came
down at Christmas.
SCRIPTURES FOR THE MEANING OF THE CANDY CANE
so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols
for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of
pure white, hard candy: white to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless
nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the Foundation of the
Church and firmness of the promises of God.
The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the precious
name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It could also represent the
staff of the Good Shepherd with which He reaches down into the ditches of the
world to lift out the fallen lambs who like all sheep have gone astray. Thinking
that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes.
He used three small stripes for the blood shed by Christ on the cross. So that
we could have the promise of eternal life.
Unfortunately, the candy became known as the Candy Cane. It became a
meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. But meaning is still there for
all those who "Have eyes to see and ears to hear." We pray that this symbol will
again be used to witness to the wonder of Jesus and His great love that came
down at Christmas.
SCRIPTURES FOR THE MEANING OF THE CANDY CANE
Hard Candy - Reminds us that Jesus is like a "ROCK", strong and depenable
Psalm 31:3
Peppermint Flavor - Is like the gift of spices from the wise men.
Matthew 2:11
White Candy - Stands for Jesus as the holy, sinless Son of God
1 John 1:7
Cane - Is like a staff used by shepherds in caring for sheep.
Jesus is our "Good Shepherd".
John 10: 1-18, 27-30
The Letter J. - Is for the name of Jesus, our Savior.
Matthew 1: 21
The Color Red - Is for God's love that sent Jesus,
and for Jesus' love in giving His life for us on the cross.
John 3: 16 and Revelation 1:5
The Stripes - Reminds us of Jesus' suffering - His crown of thorns,
the wounds in His hands and feet, and the cross on which He died.
John 19: 1-30
Hope you really enjoyed the story. I love Candy Canes and after knowing the story behind it... I LOVE IT EVEN MORE!!!! Praise the Lord!
Psalm 31:3
Peppermint Flavor - Is like the gift of spices from the wise men.
Matthew 2:11
White Candy - Stands for Jesus as the holy, sinless Son of God
1 John 1:7
Cane - Is like a staff used by shepherds in caring for sheep.
Jesus is our "Good Shepherd".
John 10: 1-18, 27-30
The Letter J. - Is for the name of Jesus, our Savior.
Matthew 1: 21
The Color Red - Is for God's love that sent Jesus,
and for Jesus' love in giving His life for us on the cross.
John 3: 16 and Revelation 1:5
The Stripes - Reminds us of Jesus' suffering - His crown of thorns,
the wounds in His hands and feet, and the cross on which He died.
John 19: 1-30
Hope you really enjoyed the story. I love Candy Canes and after knowing the story behind it... I LOVE IT EVEN MORE!!!! Praise the Lord!
Below are some printables and crafts which you can use to give out to your loved ones and share the story of the Candy Cane. Have a Blessed Christmas! *hugss*
