The legend of the Candy Cane - Loveland Beacon (2024)

Posted by Chuck Gibson | Dec 25, 2021 | FEATURES | 0 |

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: By Chuck Gibson from an anonymous source

LOVELAND, OH (December 25, 2021) – According to legend, there was a candy maker who wanted to invent a candy that was witness to Christ.

The legend of the Candy Cane - Loveland Beacon (4)

Candy canes with the additional green stripe & bound together by a bow (Photo Chuck Gibson)

First, he used a hard candy because Christ is the Rock of Ages. This hard candy was shaped so it would resemble a “J” for Jesus or, turned upside down, a shepherd’s staff. He made it white to represent the purity of Christ.

Finally, a red stripe was added to represent the blood Christ shed for the sins of the world, and three thinner red stripes for the stripes He received on our behalf when the Roman soldiers whipped Him. Sometimes a green stripe is added as a reminder Jesus is a gift from God.

The flavor of the candy cane is peppermint, which is similar to hyssop. Hyssop is a mint that was used in the Old Testament for purification and sacrifice. Jesus is the pure Lamb of God Who came to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

So, every time you see a candy cane, remember the message of the candy maker: Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, is the sinless rock of ages who suffered and died for our sins.

The legend of the Candy Cane - Loveland Beacon (5)

Candy cane in the form of a “J” for Jesus (Photo Chuck Gibson)

The legend of the Candy Cane - Loveland Beacon (6)

Candy cane flipped up to form the shepherd’s hook (Photo Chuck Gibson)

A CANDY CANE POEM YOU:

Jesus, Gentle Shepherd. This cane of red and white

Proclaims the sweet love story, Born on Christmas night.

This cane, you see, When turned around Begins your name of Love

And now becomes a symbol Of Peace proclaimed above.

This lively peppermint flavor is the regal gift of spice

The white is Your purity and the red Your sacrifice

And so this cane reminds us of just how much You care

And like Your Christmas gift to us, It’s meant for all to share.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

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The legend of the Candy Cane - Loveland Beacon (2024)

FAQs

What does the candy cane stand for? ›

On Saint Nicholas Day celebrations, candy canes are given to children as they are also said to represent the crosier of the Christian bishop, Saint Nicholas; crosiers allude to the Good Shepherd, a name sometimes used to refer to Jesus of Nazareth.

What does the upside down candy cane mean? ›

This hard candy was shaped so it would resemble a “J” for Jesus or, turned upside down, a shepherd's staff. He made it white to represent the purity of Christ.

What is the true story of the candy cane? ›

“Legend has it that the candy cane dates back to 1670, when the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany handed out sugar sticks among his young singers to keep them quiet during the Living Creche ceremony,” Schildhaus says. “In honor of the occasion, he bent the candies into shepherds' crooks.”

What does the candy cane remind us of? ›

Cane: Is like the staff used by the shepherds in caring for sheep. Jesus is our “Good Shepherd.” The Color Red: Is for God's love that sent Jesus to give his life for us on the cross. The Stripes: Remind us of Jesus' suffering-his crown of thorns, the wounds in his hands and feet; and the cross on which he died.

What is the legend of the candy cane? ›

Another persistent tale explaining the origin story of the candy cane says a 1600s German choirmaster made peppermint candy sticks, which were a popular treat, in the shape of a cane to quiet down rowdy choir boys — the cane shape was intended to represent a shepherd's staff.

What color were candy canes originally? ›

Candy canes were originally solid white, but during the turn of the 20th century stripes started to appear. Prior to the late 19th century, Christmas cards of that period show nothing but plain white candy. Some believe the stripes came from the candy maker Bob McCormack in the 1920s.

What does the Bible say about candy canes? ›

(Psalm 31:3). Next the candy maker made the candy in the shape of a 'J' for the name of Jesus who came to earth as our Savior (Matt 1:21, Acts 4:12). When the candy was turned upside down, it is the shape of the Good Shepherd's staff (John 10:11). "I am the good shepherd.

Is a candy cane religious? ›

There are people who claim that it has a religious origin, saying the white represents purity of Jesus, and the red represents the blood of Jesus. That's a completely fabricated Christian folklore legend which has no basis in truth. Candy canes originated in the 1800s as a Christmas holiday treat.

What does a broken candy cane mean? ›

It also reminds us of the spices brought by the Wise Men when they came to visit Jesus (Psalm 51:7, John 10:29, Matthew 2:11). Broken For Us: Of course, when the candy cane is eaten, it is often broken, which the candy maker meant as a reminder that when Jesus was crucified, his body was broken (I Cor. 11:24).

What gender is candy cane? ›

Despite little being known about her personality at the time, there is a lot of Candy Cane that we know about. Candy Cane acts as a typical teenage girl (or valley-girl), as she is shown to own a phone.

What do red stripes mean on the candy cane? ›

The color red represents the blood of Christ that was sacrificed on our behalf for our salvation. The pattern of the candy cane stripes are not an accident, either. The three small stripes represent the scourging Jesus received on the Road to Gethsemane.

What is the oldest candy cane company in the US? ›

Doscher's Candies is an American candy manufacturer, and the oldest producer of candy canes in the United States. It is known for being the oldest continually operating candy company in America.

Can a baby lick a candy cane? ›

At What Age Can Kids Eat Candy Canes? According to the AAP, hard candy, such as candy canes, should not be introduced to kids before the age of 5.

Is it OK to bite candy canes? ›

This particular shape makes it almost irresistible for people to bite down on it, young and old. This can cause chips and/or breaks in even the strongest teeth. If you do indulge this year, be sure to be careful. Brush thoroughly and regularly, minimize frequency of such treats, and be sure not to bite.

What if a candy cane is chewy? ›

If it clings, it probably isn't as fresh as it can be. >> Bite it: Before you stir it into your cocoa, try sinking your teeth into the cane. If it's weirdly soft and chewy, you might want to discard.

What does an upside down candy cane mean? ›

The Letter J for Jesus: Not only was the candy cane in the shape of a staff, but when held upside down, it formed a “J,” which stood for Jesus. He is A Rock: The candy maker chose hard candy for the candy cane, which was done to remind children that Jesus was our “rock,” dependable and strong.

Where was Jesus born? ›

Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, which is located in the fertile limestone hill country of the Holy Land, 10 kilometres south of Jerusalem. Millions of people around the world celebrate Christmas Day as the birth anniversary of Jesus on December 25. It is a religious and cultural celebration.

What is the original story of the candy cane? ›

A Sweet Prelude: The History of Candy Canes

One popular tale traces it back to a German choirmaster seeking a solution to keep children calm during Christmas Eve services. The candy's crook symbolized shepherds, while the red and white stripes embodied the purity of Christ.

How does the candy cane represent Jesus? ›

The candymaker made the candy in the form of a “J” to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. 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, like all sheep, have gone astray.

What is the history behind the hook on candy canes? ›

The original candy canes were straight, but over time, they evolved into their iconic hooked shape. Some believe that the hook represents the shepherd's crook, symbolizing the shepherds who visited baby Jesus. Others say it's simply a clever design to hang the candy canes on Christmas trees.

What is the meaning of the candy cane Lane? ›

Candy Cane Lane began in 1952 when a group of neighbors decided to string some lights on their houses to spread some holiday cheer. The tradition quickly caught on and has been going strong ever since. Every year, more and more people come to check out the amazing light displays.

What do the candy cane colors red and white represent? ›

In 1847, he made a candy to symbolize Christ. The cane's "J" shape stands for Jesus; when turned upside-down, it becomes a shepherd's staff. The white color signifies purity; the red represents Christ's blood, shed for the world's sins, and three red stripes symbolize the trinity.

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