Monday, December 24, 2012

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 ~

24 comments:

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Sheri, Nel and Jess,

Lovely post and thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas and wishing you all the very best and happy holidays. May all your dreams come true.

Warmest wishes & hugs
Carolyn

E. said...

Merry Christmas!

Puumuli said...

Merry Christmas to you too!

Sari from Puumuli

Ingeborg van Zuiden said...

A very merry Christmas to you Sheri and also to your daughters of course! What a special story about the candy cane. I didn't knew that at all! Thank you so much for sharing this story! I am 100% sure I will always think of this in the future when I see or get a candy cane! So special! Blessings and hugs,
Ingeborg

rose said...

May the Christmas season fill your home with joy, your heart with love and your life with laughter!

It's me said...

Merry merry Xmas darling.....love from me ...enjoy these days.....thanks for your friendship.....love you ...Ria...xxx...

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Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

I NEVER EVER KNEW THIS! OF COURSE....it makes perfect sense!!! I will treasure the one I just received in the mail yesterday from a friend...God bless you all my dears! Anita

miss b said...

What a lovely informative post - beautiful images too. Thank you for your visits to my blog this year and for all your positive and thoughtful comments - much appreciated. wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New year too.
http://redrosealley.blogspot.co.uk

nice said...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2013.
I wish you all the best, happiest, healthiest and the most fulfilling and rewarding year that you ever had in your life. Also I wish peace, harmony and understanding for the world that we all live in it.

Galina Hristova said...

Merry Christmas, dear friends!Let a light in our hearts and our souls!Love and Peace!

Teresa said...

Don't you love that extra thoughtful gestures?! I do. They say that people went beyond doing and moved to caring... about each one that would enjoy the Magical and Blessed Night with them.
I believe an extra bond is formed. A bond of Love. Can't think of anything more suitable or a better homage for Christmas.


Sheri, Nel & Jess,

Remembering you at Christmas
With a prayer that God above
Will bless you with His precious gifts
Of faith and hope and love,
Faith to make your life serene,
Hope to keep it bright,
And most of all, God's holy love
To be your guiding light.

Merry Christmas!

Yours,
Teresa

Heidi said...

Merry Christmas to you and your families. And a happy and healthy New Year.
Heidi

Kristie said...

I never knew this either...and I'm from Indiana? I wonder where in Indiana this candy was made?

I send you and your family very warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a grand New Year!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning dearest Sheri and girls!

Precious friend, thank you for visiting....it is such a pleasure, A TRUE DELIGHT to find comments from you all on even the busiest FAMILY holidays....I BELIEVE WE ARE ALL CONNECTED and it is a pure joy to send one another messages of encouragement and support.

NOW I WISH YOU A WONDERFUL new year of blessings! Have a fantastic day, Anita

Kerri said...

Aaawww thanks so much for sharing this story! I love candy canes :)

Merry Christmas as we celebrate the 12 days of our savior's birth!

xoxo
Kerri

valerietilsten59.blogspot.com said...

A beautiful story, that I never knew.
Wishing you a wonderful christmas time and all good fun today on Boxing day.
lots of mince pies and goodies.
god bless to my three dear blogging froends.
Sheri, Jess and Nel..
xxxx val

Ivy and Elephants said...

Loved the story. A wonderful way to keep God's love at the forefront.
Wishing you a happy and blessed new year!
Hugs,
Patti

Nely said...

Merry Christmas dear friend,to you and your family,
Wishing a happy and blessed new year!
Hugs,
Nely!

Hjem & Glede said...

Merry Christmas to you from santa in Norway....HO-HO-HOOOOO:)

Hugs camilla!

magie said...

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas yesterday x Thanks so much for sharing the story behind the candy cane.. It is nice to know there is so much meaning behind it.
Have a happy New Year!
Magie x

Hayu Maselli said...

Hello My Ladies,

I am back! a bit a while for Christmas and St, Steven
wow..fantastic story of candy maker,I have never heard before ;( (poor I am)
For sure you have a beautiful Christmas and st. Steven .
Wishing you a happy happy holidays and Happy New Year
xoxo

Lucy@heart and hearth said...

Beautiful, thank-you for sharing. I love the story of the candy cane and it's meaning.So profound.

Susan said...

Love all your photos, girls. Oh, isn't the Nutcracker enchanting? Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Hope the rest of the holiday week is wonderful for you. Susan

hi-d said...

So glad you shared the story behind the candy cane. I have heard that before. So cool!!!

God Bless,
Heidi