The Story Of The Candy Cane

So I have always loved the story of the candy cane. I wanted to share it here on my blog. So of course we go searching the Internet for the story and find all kinds of things. I don't have all the web sites and writer's to give credit to those who have put together all this great information. The credit goes to many. As there are lots of sites full of the rich history. I sure wish there was an easier way to give credit due to those who do the writing and hard work. Below is a collection of several sites found.
Please forgive me for not having the right credit's. Do enjoy the story of the candy cane and the scripture's along with the poem below. Again no credit for that one either. Anonymous at this point. If anyone knows who the credit should go to please let me know. Thank you.



The candy cane story is one of my favorites. If you have never read or heard it I hope it becomes one of your favorites as well.





Original page:
http://happyhomefairy.com/2010/12/09/the-legend-of-the-candy-cane-free-printable-tag/





THE STORY OF THE CANDY CANE MAKER

There once was a candy maker who wanted to make a candy that would be very special for Christmas. He decided to make a candy cane because he knew he could include a lot of signs and symbols to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

            He began with a stick of pure white hard candy. He used white as a symbol that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary who was always so pure and holy. He made it hard and crunchy to symbolize the solid rock on which the church is founded.

            He bent over the top of the candy cane to make a hook like a shepherd’s staff. He remembered that Jesus called himself “The Good Shepherd” The candy maker remembered too that the first people who come to worship Jesus at the manger after he was born were shepherds. Then the candy maker looked at his candy cane and thought it looked a little plain. “It needs some color,” he said. Something red,” he thought. “That will give it Christmas look!” So, he began to stain the white candy cane with red stripes. First, he put on three thin red stripes. You see, he remembered that Jesus went through terrible torture before he died and was whipped across his back. The candy maker decided that the red stripes on the candy cane would remind everybody that Jesus shed his blood for us when he died on the cross on Good Friday.

            The candy maker was doing well with his candy cane. He had a lot signs of Jesus in there but he wasn’t satisfied. Then he began to pray, “Dear Jesus, help me to make my candy cane show the true meaning of Christmas.” Then suddenly the candy cane slipped from his hands. It fell upside down on the floor. When he looked, he noticed that the candy cane was no longer a candy cane, but it was the letter “J”. It stands for “Jesus.” Jesus is really what Christmas is all about.

A Candy Maker’s Witness

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 symbol 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 world.

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ.

In years to come the candy became known only as a candy cane – a meaningless decoration. But the meaning is still there for those who know. I pray that this symbol will again be used to witness TO THE WONDER OF JESUS AND HIS GREAT LOVE that came down at Christmas.

 



Image Source Page:
http://www.christmaswow.com/candy-cane-christmas-crafts/



esus Christ is:

The Story of the Candy Cane is a Legend, but what the legend represents is true---Jesus Christ did die for our sins and it is a way to share the gospel with others and to remind them of what His death meant for all mankind.

The Good Shepherd  The candy cane is staff shape) ~ John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." 

The Rock (hard candy) ~ 1 Corinthians 10: 3-4 "They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ."

The Sinless Savior (white for purity) ~ I John 3: 5 "But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin."

The Sacrificial Lamb (Red, Christ died for us) ~ 1 Peter 1: 18-19 "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."

The three thin red stripes symbolize pain inflicted upon Jesus before his death on the cross and a bold red stripe to represent the blood he shed for us. The three thin stripes can also represent the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). And sometimes a green stripe is added to represent the gift of Jesus Christ from God.

The smell and taste of peppermint relate to the herb hyssop. Hyssop is in the mint family and was used in the Old Testament for purification and sacrifice. Jesus is the pure Lamb of God, come to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world. Psalm 51:7 states, "Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean, wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." 

 

A Craft: Take a candy cane. Type out this story, fold it into a little booklet, punch a hole in the corner and attach it to the candy cane with a red ribbon. Present it to those you meet along the way at Christmas time. It makes a sweet gift and gives us a way to share Jesus with others. You can also put it on Christmas packages or use as Christmas decorations that you can give out to visitors. 



Image Source Page:
http://www.christmasgeeks.com/christmas-candy-canes-wallpapers/







Candy Cane Story



Jesus Gentle Shepherd,
this cane of red and white
proclaims the sweet love story
born on Christmas night.

This cane, you see, when turned around
begins your name of Love
and now becomes a symbol
of peace proclaimed above.

The lively peppermint flavor
is the regal gift of spice.
The white is your purity
and the red your sacrifice.

And so this cane reminds us
of just how much you care
and like your Christmas Gift
to us it's meant for all to share.

Do you like candy canes? Have you ever heard this story or poem?