Sunday, December 14, 2008

The Legend Of The Candy Cane

Candy Cane Fantasia

This week my wife Gina came across the legend of the candy cane. Legend is an old English word meaning "probably not true". Even so I enjoyed reading about the legend.

The legend says that there was a time in Europe when any public display of Christianity was forbidden. No crosses or Bibles were allowed. One old man, a candy maker by profession, was very upset by this. He loved God and couldn't stand to not share that love with others. He prayed for God to show him some way to make Christmas gifts for the children which would teach them the story of Christ.


His answer was the candy cane. The candy cane was in the shape of a shepherd’s staff to show them that Jesus is our Shepherd and we are His flock. Upside down the candy cane was a "J", the first letter of Jesus' name. It was made of hard candy to remind us that Christ is the rock of our salvation. The wide red stripes on the candy cane were to represent the blood He shed on the cross for each one of us so that we can have eternal life through Him. The three narrow red stripes on the candy canes symbolized that by His stripes, or wounds, we are healed.


The flavoring in the candy cane was peppermint, which is similar to hyssop. Hyssop is of the mint family and was used in Old Testament times for purification and sacrifice just as Jesus sacrificed His life for ours. The old candy maker told the children that when we break our candy cane it reminds us that Jesus' body was broken for us. If we share our candy cane and give some to someone else in love, it represents the love of Jesus. God gave Himself to us when He sent Jesus. He loved us so much He wants us to spend eternity with Him.

This story of the candy cane is just a legend. We do not know for sure exactly how the candy cane was invented, but it is an excellent picture of Christ and His love for you. Think about it the next time you enjoy a candy cane. And who doesn't enjoy a good candy cane?

10 comments:

  1. This is probably one of the nicest legends (and posts!!!) I have ever read!!! THANK YOU!!!! AND GOD BLESS YOU!!!! YOU MADE MY DAY!!!!!

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  2. It is snowing here at your blog and that is also AWSOME as it does not snow here in Cascais or Lisbon!!!

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  3. How fun ... I'll add a link here from one of my blogs when I get around to posting today, just because ;--)

    Love the kitty with the candy cane ... is this your cat?

    I actually dropped by to check out your Sunrise-Sunset post. I shared mine later than usual last night at Sacred Ruminations and only added the link this morning.
    Hugs and blessings,

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  4. Thanks for posting the legend. It may not be true, but it certainly is good.

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  5. I love this legend. That cat is hilarious!

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  6. A lovely tale indeed, it reminds me of the soldier in the chuch service at the front who had a deck of cards. I am sure you know it.
    Even your cat enjoys a christmas treat!

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  7. Legend!
    I am glad I read this. Next time I offer one to my children I will tell them this.

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  8. Very cool story/legend.
    And I love the candy cane photos! Did you take them?

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  9. Thank you for posting this lovely story. I found your post while searching Google for a candy cane picture to use for my blog. I just wanted to let you know that I am using the second picture you posted here and including a link to this page (both to give you credit and to share this story). If that is a problem, please let me know and I will remove the photo and link at once. Blessings to you and yours this Advent season!

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