The candy cane has long been a Christmas tradition and was said to
have been the creation of a fine Christian candy maker in Indiana. Its
sweet peppermint taste has been enjoyed by young and old for years.
The candy maker started with pure white candy to symbolize Jesus'
innocence (Heb 4:15) and the holiness of the sinless son of God (1
John 1:7).
The white also shows the virgin birth of Jesus: "The virgin will be
with child and will give birth to a son..." (Matt 1:23).
He made the candy hard because the church is built on solid rock and
God's promises are a firm foundation (Matt 16:18, 1Thess 5:24), and
that Jesus is like a "rock", strong and dependable. (Psalm 31:3).
Next the candy maker made the candy in the shape of a 'J' for the name
of Jesus who came to earth as our Savior (Matt 1:21, Acts 4:12). When
the candy was turned upside down, it is the shape of the Good
Shepherd's staff (John 10:11). "I am the good shepherd. The good
shepherd lays down his life for the sheep".
Finally he stained the candy with red stripes. The color red
symbolizes God's love that sent Jesus to give His life for us on the
cross (John 3:16).
The large red stripe is for the blood Jesus shed for our sins on the
cross (Eph 1:7). "In him we have redemption through His blood, the
forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace."
The smaller stripes remind of Jesus' suffering and our redemptive healing
(John 19: 1-30).
So this Christmas when you and your family hang candy canes on your
tree remember that they're not just candy canes. Instead they are a
symbol of the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Savior Jesus
Christ.
