The Legend of the Candy Cane
According to legend there was a candy maker who wanted to invent a candy that was a witness to Christ.
First
of all, he used a hard candy because Christ is the rock of ages. This hard candy
was shaped so that it would resemble a “J” for Jesus or, turned upside down, a
shepherd’s staff. He made it white to represent the purity of Christ.
Finally a red
stripe was added to represent the blood Christ shed for the sins of the world,
and three thinner red stripes for the stripes He received on our behalf when the
Roman soldiers whipped Him. Sometimes a green stripe is added as a reminder that
Jesus is a gift
from God.
The flavor of the cane is peppermint, which is similar to hyssop. Hyssop is in the mint family and was used in the Old Testament for purification and sacrifice. Jesus is the pure Lamb of God, come to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world.
So, every time you see a candy cane,
remember the message of the candy maker:
Jesus is the Christ!
