The meaning of the Candy Cane

By: Rev. Donald J. Barthelmeh (Cincinnati, OH.)

     Of the scenes of Christmas none is more beautiful than the shepherds on the hillside watching their flocks by night, with crook in hand, about their humble business of guarding and keeping safe their flocks. From here they receive the announcement "unto you is born a Savior." Then they joined together to go "see the great sight which had come to pass."
     The Shepherds' crook was at the first service of worship of the Christ. Its counterpart is our candy cane so old as a symbol that we have nearly forgotten its origin. We are immediately attracted by its color - the red and white. Red is for sacrifice; white is for purity. The body of the cane is white representing the life that is pure, or that may be pure. " Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
     The broad red stripe is symbolic of our Lord's sacrifice for us. We may celebrate the birth of the child Jesus, but we must also be mindful of the man, Christ. Christmas always brings us ultimately to Calvary. He gave his life of the cross in sacrifice for our sin.
     And then the many smaller stripes - these symbolize the sacrifices we must make as Christians - the offerings we would bring to be intertwined with the supreme sacrifice of our Savior. The may mean the wounded sheep he has brought into the fold, or the sufferings we must bear in witness to Him in whom we believe.
     The form as a staff suggests a symbol of service, and it suggests life is a service even as the Christian life is a worship. But of course the color and form give way to the aroma of peppermint and its pungent taste. Peppermint is akin to the aromatic herb hyssop. Recall the old Psalmist's plea: Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean, wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7
     Old Testament scholars suggest the use of hyssop not only for its delightful taste but also for medicinal purpose. A healing nature is suggested. What better symbolism at Christmas for us for we are told, "We are healed by His Stripes."
     It is candy and the candy cane is to be shared - broken into pieces for all to share. It draws us into fellowship of sharing. How good it is to remind ourselves of Jesus' statement, " This is my body broken for you." Just as Jesus' body is broken to be shared, just so, our lives as good stewards must be shared. We come to realize as children of God and sharers of Christ's life that "only as we give, shall we live!
     Love came down at Christmas all lovely and divine. Now in the Season of Christmas we seek to spread that love among all men. One symbol is the Shepherd's Crook, made visual in its implications through a candy cane. It calls us to serve; its red bands direct us to a life of sacrifice; its essence of mint relates the tastefulness of those who would share. We are also reminded that our life might be pure, made white by who would share. We are also reminded that our life might be pure, made white by sacrifice of the Savior circling ourselves and spiraling up into a life of love and peace.

     If you turn the cane upside down, it is a "J" for Jesus. We pray God blesses you and your family at Christmas in the year to come!

W