Legend has it that in the 18th Century somewhere in Europe any public display of Christianity was forbidden. No crosses or Bibles were allowed and the Christians were greatly oppressed. One old man, a candy maker by profession, was particularly distressed by this. He loved the Lord with all of his heart and couldn't stand to not share that love with the world. His heart especially went out to the children when Christmas drew near and no one was allowed to have a nativity scene (or crèche`) on display in their homes. He prayed for God to show him some way to make Christmas gifts for the children which would teach them the story of Christ.

The answer was the candy cane. The candy cane was in the shape of a shepherd"s staff to show them  Jesus is our Shepherd and we are His flock. A sheep follows his own shepherd, knows his voice, and trusts him and knows that he is totally safe with him. The sheep will follow no other shepherd but their own. This is how we are to be with Jesus if we truly follow Him ( John 10:11; Psalm 23:1; Isaiah 40:11)

Upside down the candy cane was a "J", the first letter of Jesus' name. ( Luke 1:31) It was made of hard candy to remind us that Christ is the rock of our salvation. The wide red stripes on the candy cane were to represent the blood He shed on the cross for each one of us so that we can have eternal life through Him. He redeems us and cleanses us with His shed blood - the only thing that can wash away our sin.     ( Luke 22:20) . The white stripes on a candy cane represented the virgin birth, sinless life and purity of our Lord. He is the only human being who ever lived on this earth who never committed a single sin. Even though He was tempted just as we are, He never sinned. ( I Peter: 22) The three narrow red stripes on candy canes symbolized that by His stripes, or wounds, we are healed and the Trinity - the Father, Son (Jesus) and Holy Spirit. Before the crucifixion Jesus was beaten; the crown of thorns was placed on His head; His back was raw from the whip. We are healed by those wounds. He bore our sorrows and by His stripes we are healed. ( Isaiah 53:3)  The flavoring in the candy cane was peppermint, which is similar to hyssop. Hyssop is of the mint family and was used in Old Testament times for purification and sacrifice just as Jesus sacrificed His life for ours. ( John 19:29; Psalm 51:7)

The old candy maker told them that when we break our candy cane it reminds us that Jesus' body was broken for us. When we have communion it is a reminder of what He did for us. ( I Cor. 11:24) If we share our candy cane and give some to someone else in love because we want to, it represents that same love of Jesus because He is to be shared with one another in love. ( I John 4:7,8)  God gave Himself to us when He sent Jesus. He loved us so much He wants us to spend eternal life with Him... which we can do if we accept Jesus in our hearts as Savior and Lord. ( John 1:12; John 3:3,16) Some people believe this story of the candy cane is just a legend. Others believe it really happened. We do not know for sure exactly how the candy cane was invented, but there is one thing for certain... it is an excellent picture of Christ and His love for you.

A friend of mine sent this to me and I thought you all might enjoy it also...

Daddy's Poem

Her hair was up in a pony tail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
and she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
she tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school
eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees
a dad who never calls.
    There were daddies along the wall in back,
    for everyone to meet.
    Children squirming impatiently,
    anxious in their seats

    One by one the teacher called
    a student from the class.
    To introduce their daddy,
    as seconds slowly passed.

    At last the teacher called her name,
    every child turned to stare.
    Each of them was searching,
    a man who wasn't there.

    "Where's her daddy at?"
    She heard a boy call out.
    "She probably doesn't have one,"
    another student dared to shout.

    And from somewhere near the back,
    she heard a daddy say,
    "Looks like another deadbeat dad,
    too busy to waste his day."

    The words did not offend her,
    as she smiled up at her Mom.
    And looked back at her teacher,
    who told her to go on.
    And with hands behind her back,
    slowly she began to speak.
    And out from the mouth of a child,
    came words incredibly unique.

    "My Daddy couldn't be here,
    because he lives so far away.
    But I know he wishes he could be,
    since this is such a special day.

    And though you cannot meet him,
    I wanted you to know.
    All about my daddy,
    and how much he loves me so.

    He loved to tell me stories
    he taught me to ride my bike.
    He surprised me with pink roses,
    and taught me to fly a kite.

    We used to share fudge sundaes,
    and ice cream in a cone.
    And though you cannot see him.
    I'm not standing here alone.

    "Cause my daddy's always with me,
    even though we are apart
    I know because he told me,
    he'll forever be in my heart"
    With that, her little hand reached up,
    and lay across her chest.
    Feeling her own heartbeat,
    beneath her favorite dress.

    And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads,
    her mother stood in tears.
    Proudly watching her daughter,
    who was wise beyond her years.

    For she stood up for the love
    of a man not in her life.
    Doing what was best for her,
    doing what was right.

    And when she dropped her hand back down,
    staring straight into the crowd.
    She finished with a voice so soft,
    but its message clear and loud.

    "I love my daddy very much,
    he's my shining star.
    And if he could, he'd be here,
    but heaven's just too far.

    You see he is a Marine
    and died just this past year
    When a roadside bomb hit his convoy
    and taught Americans to fear.
    But sometimes when I close my eyes,
    it's like he never went away."
    And then she closed her eyes,
    and saw him there that day.

    And to her mothers amazement,
    she witnessed with surprise.
    A room full of daddies and children,
    all starting to close their eyes.

    Who knows what they saw before them,
    who knows what they felt inside.
    Perhaps for merely a second,
    they saw him at her side.

    "I know you're with me Daddy,"
    to the silence she called out.
    And what happened next made believers,
    of those once filled with doubt.

    Not one in that room could explain it,
    for each of their eyes had been closed.
    But there on the desk beside her,
    was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

    And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,
    by the love of her shining star.
    And given the gift of believing,
    that heaven is never too far.
    They say it takes a minute to find a special
    person, an hour to appreciate them,
    a day to love them, but then an entire
    life to forget them.

    Send this to the people you'll never forget and
    remember to send it also to the person that sent
    it to you. It's a short message to let them know
    that you'll never forget them.

    If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're
    in a hurry and that you've forgotten your
    friends.