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| Photo by Mikereichold 2008 |
Familiar Christmas decorations and their colors may open
the door for Christians to talk to unsaved people about Christ, as their
symbolism reminds us of different aspects of Christ’s life and God’s plan of
salvation. Legend has it that in the 18th century, a candy maker in Europe
designed the candy cane to serve as a witness to his Christian faith and to
incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry and death of Jesus.
In the candy maker’s home country at that time, Christian
oppression made it illegal to make public displays of Christianity or even to
own a Bible or cross, let alone a manger scene. He prayed that God would show
him how he could share the true story of Christmas with local children by
offering them a unique and meaningful treat.
This confection would be a stick of candy, white to
symbolize the Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:35) and
the sinless purity of Jesus (I John 1:7), and hard to symbolize
the solid Rock, the Foundation of the Church (2 Samuel 22:3,47; Psalm
18:2,46;62:2,6, etc. Matthew 16:18). It was flavored with
peppermint, an herb of the same family as hyssop, which was used for temple sacrifices and purification (Psalm 51:7; Exodus 12:22; etc; Hebrews
9:19) and offered to Jesus as He suffered on the cross (John 19:29).
The candy cane is shaped like a "J" for the name
of Jesus (Luke 1:31, Matthew 1:21), and like the staff of
the Good, Great and Chief Shepherd Who gave His life for His sheep (John
10:11,15; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4). who would hear His
voice and follow him (Psalm 23:1, John 10:27-30, Isaiah 40:11).
Two canes together touching at both ends forms the shape of a heart,
symbolizing God’s love for us (1 John 4:8; Zephaniah 3:17).
A large red stripe on the candy cane denotes the blood shed
by Christ on the cross (Romans 3:25; Colossians 1:20) for
the remission of our sins (Matthew 26:28), by which we are saved
to eternal life (Revelation 1:5, John 3:16, Luke 22:20),
and three small stripes symbolizing the whipping Jesus received, by which we are healed (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24).
White at Christmas time reminds us of angel robes (Matthew
28:3) and wings and of snowflakes falling, as pristine as Christ is
pure and completely without sin (Psalm 51:7). The glorified body
of Christ was clothed in shining robes “white as snow” when He appeared to
Daniel as the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9), to the inner circle
of apostles at His transfiguration (Mark 9:3), and to John at His revelation (Revelation 1:14).
The nativity scene would be incomplete without white sheep
led by shepherds, emphasizing the importance of our following the Good Shepherd
and depending on Him for all we do (Psalm 23). The purity of
white reminds us that Jesus is the lily of the valleys (Song of Solomon 2:1),
and that the Holy Spirit took on the appearance of a dove as Jesus was baptized
(Matthew 3:16).
Red symbolizes each drop of precious blood Jesus shed for
us on Calvary’s cross (Matthew 26:28), which washes us clean so
that when God sees us, He sees not our sin, but the perfect sacrifice of His
blameless Son (Hebrews 9: 11-13; John 1:7).
When we see a red stop sign or traffic light, it warns us
of danger. “Red” means stop – - our sinful ways, our wicked thoughts, our
worldly lifestyle (1 Peter 4:1). And yet, red also symbolizes
fire or passion. God wants us to be on fire for Him, as He is a consuming fire
(Hebrews 12:29; Revelation 19:12), our hearts burning with
His Word (Jeremiah 20:9; Luke 24:32) and our lives burning
brightly with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3).
As we enjoy a candy cane, may this iconic symbol remind us
of Lord Jesus Christ, God Himself, Who came in the flesh (John 1:14)
to save us by paying our sin debt in full as He died on the cross, was buried,
and rose again the third day, proving His Deity! May we lead others to invite
Him into their heart by trusting in this Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4),
so that they too can have eternal life!
Merry Christmas to all, and all blessings for 2023 and
until He comes again! May you experience the love, joy and peace that comes
only from knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior!
© 2019 Laurie Collett
Reposted from the archives
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