A Sweet Christmas Story

We just got home from a joyous Christmas Eve mass.

The homily was filled with love, and the music was spiritually uplifting.

At the end of the service they passed out candy canes with a card attached that explained the history of this Christmas-time favorite. We thought we'd share this special story with you. 

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 symbols 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 represent 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. We pray that this symbol will again be used to witness the wonder of Jesus and His great love that came down at Christmas.       

From our family to yours, may peace be with you now and always.
 

Merry Christmas!

~ Sheri, Nel & Jess ~