Christmas Candy Cane Origin
Who created the first candy cane? The candy cane Christmas tradition was said to have been the inspiration of fine Christian candy maker in Indiana. He created this sweet peppermint treat with purpose, design, and vision.
The Candy Cane
The candy maker started with pure white candy to symbolize Jesus’ innocence (Hebrews 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…” (Matthew 1:23).
He made the candy hard because the church is built on solid rock and God’s promises are a firm foundation (Matthew 16:18, 1Thesselonians 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 (Matthew 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 (Ephesians 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).
Pause for a moment with your kids and grandkids when you hand them a peppermint Candy Cane this Christmas. Share this story with them to begin, or continue, your own family traditions.
A Charming Christmas story
A few weeks before Christmas the postmaster in a small town received a letter addressed to Santa Claus at the North Pole. He opened it and was touched by its unusually pathetic message.
It read:
"Dear Santa, do you think you could give me $50 for a bike? It's not for myself, but my mother is a widow with 5 children and we have hit hard times. The bike would help me deliver newspapers and get some money for my little brother Jason's medicine . . ."
The postmaster was so touched that he shared it with his colleagues, and they all chipped in together, raising $46 dollars right on the spot. The postmaster carefully put the cash into a new envelope, sealed it, and addressed is to the lad.
(Distressed little boy with mud on his face)
The next week another letter to Santa at the North Pole, in the same handwriting was received. He gathered his colleagues together again, to open it for everyone to see.
It said:
"Dear Santa, thank you for sending the money for the new bike, only next time you do this sort of thing be sure not to send it through regular mail, because the government took $4 in taxes from the $50 you sent to me!"