The Legend
 of the
 Candy Stick Witness

By Barbara Linton

A candy-maker in Indiana, USA, wanted to make a candy that would 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 symbolise the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus; hard, to symbolise the solid rock, the foundation of the Church, and the 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 Saviour. It could also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd with which he reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who have gone astray.

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the Cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life.

Unfortunately, this candy became known as a candy cane – a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. But the meaning is still there for those who have “eyes to see and ears to hear”. I pray that this symbol will again be used to witness the wonder of Jesus and his great love that came down at Christmas and remains the ultimate and dominant force in the universe today.

Source: unknown

Years ago, my friend gave me the Candy Cane story that she came across when visiting Sacred Heart Church in Manaia, South Taranaki. How many of us know the origin of the candy cane?

I suggest that the printed story with a candy cane be our Christmas cards this year to give to family, friends and to the stranger. People love stories and they can stimulate thought and be an effective way to get messages across. Jesus often used stories – parables -- when teaching people.

Evangelising can take many shapes and forms, even the shape of a candy cane. Alleluia!