The Candy Cane

(Plain Text Version)

It is hard, tasty, colorful, and can be hung on a tree – but is there more to it?

It isn’t as hard as a rock, but…

It’s hardness reminds us of the solidness of God’s promises.

The hardness also signifies the stability of the Church.

The candy cane can be broken up and shared, like the Holy Eucharist.

It’s main color is white…

White signifies purity, and Jesus’ birth of a virgin.

White signifies holiness.  Jesus, who is divine, is all-holy.

It has wide and narrow red stripes…

White and red remind us of Christ, who shed His blood for us.

The broad stripe can signify Christ’s sacrifice for us, and the small stripes can represent the small sacrifices we make. 

The stripes are twisted together, the same way our sacrifices are combined with the Sacrifice of Christ.

Or, the wide stripe can represent one God, and the three small stripes can represent the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Peppermint has a strong aroma…

This reminds us of hyssop, which was used in purification ceremonies.   “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”  (Psalm 5:17)

It is bent into a hook…

The hook can be the letter “J” for “Jesus”.

Or, it can signify a shepherd’s hook, and remind us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who will do whatever it takes to keep us safe from evil.

Jesus loved shepherds, even though they were on the lowest level of society.  The    shepherds were the first people invited to meet the newborn Jesus.

Turn the “J” upside-down, and you have a walking-cane to help you keep your balance as you walk through life.

Of course, we are talking about candy, which is meant to be enjoyed.  Following Jesus is also sweet, enabling us to be joyful during the trials of life on Earth.