The Candy Cane has long been a Christmas tradition. Its sweet peppermint taste has been enjoyed
by young and old for years. But did you know what it symbolizes?
It is a hard candy because
the church is built on solid rock and God's promises are a firm foundation (Matt 16:18,
1 Thess 5:24), and that Jesus is like a "rock", strong and dependable. (Psalm 31:3)
The 'color red' is for 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).
The white candy is for Jesus'
innocence (Heb 4:15), for 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).
Finally the cane is
made in 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."
And turned upside down for
the letter 'J' in Jesus by whom we are saved (Matt 1:21, Acts 4:12).
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which
we must be saved."
So remember that Jesus Christ is the real meaning of Christmas. He
can be seen in a simple candy cane.
