The Legend of the Candy Cane

As an alternative to reading this devotion, go to youtube.com and search for ‘The Legend of the Candy Cane’ by Lori Walberg. You can listen to someone read this book while looking at its beautiful illustrations.

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REMINDER TO TELL ABOUT JESUS

Popular stories exist about the candy cane. Some stories say that a choir director put the hook in peppermint sticks to hold children’s attention during long Christmas services. Some stories say that a candy maker invented the candy cane to tell people about Jesus. These stories may be more legend than truth. However, the stories about candy canes show how people can use common objects to remind us about Jesus.

The candy cane’s colors can remind us of Jesus. The white reminds us that Jesus is perfectly pure, righteous, and without sin. We should praise and serve Jesus, the sinless Son of God. The red reminds us of Jesus’ blood shed on the cross to deliver us from our sin.

The candy cane’s shape can remind us of Jesus. If you hold the candy cane with the hook on the bottom, it looks like the letter J for Jesus. The angel told Joseph to name Mary’s baby Jesus which means Savior. Jesus saves us from our sins. If you hold the candy cane with the hook on the top, it reminds us of a shepherd’s crook. A shepherd used the crook to protect, guide, and rescue sheep. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep (His people) to rescue them from their sin. Jesus also guides and protects us.

The candy cane’s shape can also remind us to tell others the Good News of Jesus. The Bible tells us that on the night of Jesus’ birth…

“an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:9–11

The shepherds immediately went to Bethlehem and saw Jesus lying in the manger. The shepherds didn’t keep this Good News to themselves but they told others about the birth of Jesus the Savior! Like the shepherds we should gladly tell others Jesus’ Good News.

Remember

Whenever you see a candy cane, let its colors and shape remind you of Jesus and to tell His Good News to others.

Discuss

Who would you like to tell about Jesus and how can you tell them?

Pray

God of hope, help us to think of people to tell about Jesus and to also show them His love. Amen.

Sing: Go Tell It On The Mountain

by For King & Country
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Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light

Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!
The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo! Above the Earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior’s birth

Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!
Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn