Minty. Bold. Sentimental. It' the Candy Cane. No sweet treat reminds us of the Christmas season more than the candy cane.
For many of us, the candy cane brings back memories of our childhood Christmases. I always associate my first candy cane encounter with a moonlit sky, an anticipatory crowd and a gigantic, crimson-red fire truck. This describes the night of Black Friday in New Providence. Every year, an event called the Christmas Walk ( now most likely politically incorrect) takes place in our little NJ suburb. And every year, Santa comes, HO-HO-HO-ing his way into the center of town with his round, flubbery belly and velvety bag 'o'tricks.
He ascends into the air via the fire truck aerial apparatus, mouth relaxing into a knowing smile. Reaching down, he scoops 2 large handfuls of miniature red and white confections from his seemingly small sack. There is an uproar from the crowd as it begins raining candy canes. Cheers and clapping and shouting come from below as a sea of hands begin dancing in the air, palms open and ready to receive.
To me, that first candy cane meant the Christmas Season had OFFICIALLY begun. From that night until Santa made his 2nd appearance, the anticipation of Christmas Day had me on cloud 9....and 10, and 11. All the way up to infinity. I embraced the sights, scents, smells, and tastes of the most holly, jolly time of year.
I wonder...who thought up this unique, tasty treat in the first place? Is there a significance to the candy cane that goes beyond making our breath smell good and fingers super sticky?
The Legend of the Candy Cane
Many years ago, a candymaker wanted to make a candy at Christmas time that would serve as a witness to his Christian faith. He wanted to incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry and death of Jesus.
He began with a stick of pure white hard candy. The white symbolized the virgin birth and the sinless life of Jesus.
He made the candy hard to symbolize the that Jesus is the solid rock and the foundation of the church. The firmness also represents the promises of God.
The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. He thought it could also represent the staff of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
The candy maker then added red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received, by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could be forgiven and have the promise of eternal life.
The flavor of mint is similar to hyssop. In Old Testament times, hyssop was associated with purification and sacrifice. It was also used at the cross as they gave Jesus a drink of vinegar before He gave up the Ghost.
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