A Candy Cane Story
At this time of the year just about everyone throughout Europe and the United States is familiar with the traditional candy cane. These days candy canes come in all sizes and colors while the white with red striped ones are the most familiar to both children and adults. Where did it come from? Why? Is it contrary to the prevalent message of the Christmas season? What symbolism, if any, is present in this delightful candy? Let us consider the following that may shed some light on the history, meaning, and practice of the candy cane during the Christmas season.
The candy cane developed over a few hundred years. Before the modern pacifier, parents gave their babies unflavored white sugar sticks to suck on. In the 70's, that is –the 1670’s, it is said that a German choirmaster had the sugar sticks bent into a shepherd's staff and passed it out to children attending the Christmas services. This custom spread throughout Europe and canes decorated with roses emerged as Christmas decorations in many homes. Today in 2005 many Christians who have an inappropriate abundance of affection for the Christmas holiday attribute the legend of the candy cane to a candy maker in Indiana in 1900 when the white candy cane received its traditional red stripes and became flavored with peppermint. This, of course, is legend, and has no certain historical references outside of the customary practice already established in an increasing Christian culture prior to that time. Both this custom and other familiar customs were introduce on American soil during the immigration of Europeans to America in the 18th and 19th centuries at a time when most Christians already in America didn’t have anything to do with such holiday customs. A search in history will disclose that the whole Christmas season was even prohibited by certain Christian groups.
As a Christian who is aware of the past pagan roots of most of the customs and decorations surrounding Christmas, I find no negative connotations or previous meaning associated with the candy cane. It simply began as a pacifier for babies and a bit of pleasure for children- and I imagine adults as well. I wanted to take the time to emphasize to Christians that is very important that careful attention be given to how one associates legends to the absolute truth of the Holy Bible. Whether the candy cane as we see it today was changed from a pacifier used during a Gospel message into an instrument for proclaiming the gospel message, OR it actually was an candy maker in Indiana is really beside the point. The history and or development behind the candy cane aren’t necessary. The candy cane can still be used today in this following manner. Simply show the common characteristics of the gospel of Jesus Christ and a candy cane. This is certain. Observation and touch will be the only ‘tools’ necessary to build the illustration portraying Jesus Christ. That may bother certain people who wish to find Christ with some historical reference in everything they practice or it may bother certain Christians that I find out the details. Both those mentalities are my concern. If the history of the candy cane is spurious, it is best left alone; however, if it simply a benign custom, then use to the glory of God by simply showing the common traits which are many. The most obvious likeness in the candy cane is its shape. Turned one way, it looks like a "J" for Jesus. The newborn Lamb of God was named Jesus, meaning Savior, because He was destined to "save His people from their sins" (Mt 1:21). Turned the other way, a candy canes could remind us of the shepherd's staff. The first people to hear of Christ's birth were shepherds guarding their flocks at night (Lk 2:8-20). Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd and the Bible frequently compares the actions of the Messiah to those of a shepherd searching for his lost sheep, feeding them, gently leading them, and carrying them in his bosom (Ps 23; Jn 10:1-18; Is 40:11; Jer 31:10; Micah 5:4; Heb 13:20). The sweetness of the candy is like the sweet milk of the Gospel of our salvation and peace that we figurative feed on (Eph 1:13; 6:15).
The hardness of the candy can reminds us that Jesus is our rock of refuge (Deu 32:4, 15, 18; 1 Sam 2:2; 2 Sam 22:32, 47; 23:3; Psa 18:2, 31; 28:1; 92:15; 94:22; 95:1; Is 44:8). In rocky lands like Israel, people often sought shelter from their enemies in the caves or rocky crags of cliffs. Rocks also remind us of the solidness of the promises of Christ who is a precious cornerstone and sure foundation to those who follow Him, but a "stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" to those who reject His gift of peace (1 Pet 2:6-8).
The whiteness of the candy brings to mind the Virgin Birth and the sinless life of Christ (Mt 1:23; Lk 1:34-35). The traditional candy cane has 3 small red stripes that brings to mind the soldiers' stripes by which we are healed and a larger stripe which represents the blood shed by Christ on Calvary's tree (Is 53:5; Mt 27:32-50). We also are made as pure as the snow through the cleansing action of His blood shed for our sins at the cross of Calvary suffering the wrath of God for us(Rev 7:9, 14; Is 1:18).
The peppermint flavor of modern candy canes is said to be similar to hyssop. In Old Testament times, hyssop was associated with purification and sacrifice. During the first Passover celebrations, a bundle of hyssop was used to smear the blood of Passover lambs upon the doorposts of houses so that the Angel of Death would pass over their occupants (Ex 12:22). Bundles of hyssop were also used to sprinkle blood on worshipers and objects during Mosaic purification rituals (Ex 24:6-8; Lev 14:4, 49-52). After his sinful affair with Bathsheba, King David appealed to God's mercy crying, "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow" (Ps 51:7). So Peppermint, similar to hyssop, can remind us that Jesus is our Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7). His blood cleanses us from sin and destroys the power of death’s hold over our beings (Hosea 13:14; 1 Cor 15:54-57; Heb 2:14-15; Rev 20:6). This reality in the Lord Jesus Christ is the certainty of all genuine believers who wait for the resurrection of those made just before the righteous Father. Those without this certainty in the finished work of Jesus Christ’s atonement do not have the same kind resurrection.
There story behind the Candy Cane has also been described as being some secret identification for Christian during that timeframe for fear of being persecuted even unto death. There is nothing in history from that timeframe to confirm such spurious claims and therefore the mention of it should be stopped and corrected upon hearing such things. Do to people in the name of Christ, Christ Jesus has a “sour taste” with some people and it is up to us to be accurate and authentic when speaking or acting; for what we do as Christians reflects to others what we believe about Christ. This can certainly take such a sweet Gospel story and sour it with misinformation. As anyone can see there are many likenesses between the candy cane and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Coincidence?…I don’t think so. So to all those critics of everything “Christmas”, lighten up. Yes, Christ wasn’t born on the 25, or in December. It was in the early October timeframe. Yes, most of the Christmas stuff has its roots in pre-Christian, pagan worship. Yes, the whole Christmas season should be done away with….IF Christians can’t seem to get Jesus Christ back into Christmas. Whether you participate in this season or not you should do what you do unto the Lord himself. Now, if all you are interesting is more stuff, discounted merchandise, time off from work, or holiday pay, then you are the one in need of the real reason for the season. Perhaps, just maybe, this story of the candy cane from now on will remind you of Christ who was born for us and that he would die because of us and because he overcame the grave being resurrected he third day believer will too. Taste and see, that the Lord is good. Repent and believe the Gospel.
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