The following information and thoughts are not my own. I read an article written by John Faulk a CBN staff writer, and wanted to pass it along to you...
"The red and white stripped candy cane is one of the most popular symbols of the Christmas season. The connection to Christianity began in 1670, when a German choirmaster is said to have handed out white sugar sticks to the young singers to keep them pacified during the live Nativity ceremony. In honor of the occasion, he had the candies bent into the shape of shepherd's crooks. The idea caught on, and the candy sticks became common at live nativities all over Europe.
The curved confection surfaced in America in 1847 when a German-Swedish immigrant living in Ohio decorated a small evergreen tree with paper ornaments and white candy canes.
About 50 years later, the familiar red and white stripes first appeared. no one knows exactly who originally added the red stripes, but Christmas cards prior to 1900 showed only all-white candy canes. Christmas cards after 1900 showed illustrations of striped candy canes. Around that same time, confectioners added peppermint and wintergreen flavors to their candy canes and those flavors became the traditional favorites.
For decades, the the tale of the candy cane has been told and retold as a Christian witness-the red and white stripes representing the Lord's blood and purity; the three red stripes symbolizing the Holy Trinity; and the hardness of the candy representing Jesus, our Rock and refuge. The peppermint flavor is said to signify the use of hyssop, a mint-like medicinal herb referred to in both the Old and New Testaments.
Generations of parents have taught their children the candy cane's sweet symbolism of Jesus' love.
Share a candy cane with someone and tell them the sweet story of the Savior who was born to set us free."
The symbolism of Christ and what Christmas is all about is everywhere...yet, it seems as if the world would like to celebrate a "holiday" without acknowledging what holiday it is and what it celebrates. I refuse to let "Happy Holiday" replace "Merry Christmas" in my world.
I challenge all of you who celebrate Christmas to not allow the name and meaning of this holiday disappear...wish everyone a "Merry Christmas". When I have grandchildren someday, I don't want one of my reminiscent stories to be recalling the days when people would wish others a "Merry Christmas" I want it to be a natural part of their life at Christmas time.
I hope that you are finding time to enjoy the celebration of the greatest gift ever given....and if you have never reached out to accept this free gift, I hope this will be the year you unwrap the love of Christ in your heart...he came for you....yep, He left the glory of Heaven to a humble stable so that you could join Him in glory someday for all eternity...I hope to see you there one day!
Merry Christmas!!!
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