Christmas Joy (2)

The Candy Cane Story

Can anyone see a shepherds staff in this Candy Cane?

Can anyone see the letter “J” in this Candy Cane?

Can anyone think of some Bible verses that refer to being “white as snow?”

Very good.

When Jesus came as a baby, very few people knew the Son of God came. People didn’t understand that He came not only to be the King and the example of how God wanted us to live. Jesus came as the spotless lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He would do that by dying on the cross for your sins and my sins.

The Candy Cane can help us remember the story of Jesus and give us the same joy the shepherds experienced when they heard the angels and met baby Jesus.

Luke 2:8–20 NASB95

8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” 15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Jesus first appeared to Shepherds.

We can see a shepherds staff in the Candy Cane.

We can also see in the white of the candy, Jesus came and lived a sinless life.

1 Peter 1:18–19 NASB95

18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

Scholars will tell you that the reason Shepherds would only leave sheep outside at night during the time of lambing. They would stay with them to protect them from the predators. They would also call the priests right away when the Ewe’s gave birth. The priests would look for spotless perfect lambs to be used for Passover sacrifice later that year. They would take those lambs and put them in swaddling cloths so they would remain perfect and unblemished.

When the shepherds rushed to the newborn babe, Jesus, they saw the perfect Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world.

John 1:29 NLT

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

The Shepherds were told Jesus would be a Savior. Some people see in the three red stripes on Candy Canes remind us that this baby would be scoured for our sins.

Isaiah 53:5–6 NLT

5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. 6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

The red stripes remind us of Isaiah 53:5 prediction. Jesus would be whipped and pierced for our sins.

We can also look back at the staff and see that Jesus would be the good shepherd and seek us even though we sinned and strayed from the path God intended as verse 6 tells us.

We can also see “J” can stand for Joy. The joy the shepherds felt because they were not forgotten. God the Great Shepherd remembered even the lowly shepherds. God loves them. God loves you. You can have the same Joy when you go to Jesus during Christmas.

Now just as the Shepherds went and told others about Jesus. I want you to use the candy cane to share the story of Jesus with your family and friends this year.

You can say something like this, would you like to hear an interesting story I learned to tell through the candy cane.