By Lucy Moll
Worship Anew Intern
We all recognize the classic red and white striped candies that adorn Christmas trees and fill stockings, but the candy cane is also a great way to teach young children about the Christmas story.
The candy cane originated as a plain white sugar stick shaped as a hook in 1670. According to “Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas” by Ace Collins, the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral handed them out to children during the Christmas service to keep them quiet. Almost two centuries later, they travelled to America when August Imgard decorated his Christmas tree with candy canes. In the 1800s, red stripes were introduced, and religious meanings were associated with different aspects of the candy.
Next time you decorate your house or tree with candy canes, explain to your grandchildren what each part of the peppermint candy means.
First, the shape of the candy cane makes a J for Jesus, whose birthday we celebrate every year on Christmas Day. Turned upside down, it can also be seen as the staff of a shepherd. Read your grandchildren the Bible story in Luke 2 that recounts how the shepherds were the first to welcome Baby Jesus.
The three small stripes stand for the Holy Trinity, which is made up of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Have your grandchildren count these stripes and explain to them that Jesus is the true Son of God. Then, ask them what colors they see. The red stands for the blood of Jesus that He shed for our salvation, and the white represents how He makes us clean through His sacrifice. This is a good opportunity to show children how we can look forward to Easter and the resurrection.
The candy cane is an excellent teaching tool as well as a tasty Christmas treat! It can be a great way to connect with your grandchildren this season. You can even read them the Christmas story from the Bible as they enjoy the candy or make pipe cleaner candy canes to hang on the tree!
Whether you use candy canes or not, remember to keep Jesus in your celebrations with family this year.