By the time December comes around, stores across the globe have stocked up with one of the most common Christmas sweets: the candy cane. With its signature red and white stripes, it is impossible to miss in the winter season, with it commonly being distributed by the dozens at events such as Christmas parades and holiday parties. According to www.axios.com, candy cane sales were at a high with $108 million in revenue in the year 2022. So, it’s certainly no secret that the peppermint treat is well-loved. What many may not know, however, is the hidden meaning and history behind the signature candy cane which makes the joy surrounding its purchase and consumption so much richer.
For Christians, Christmas time is a heartfelt season dedicated to the celebration of the blessing of Jesus’ birth and the sacrifices the Savior made in the years following it. While there is no definite proof of the facts of the invention of the candy cane, throughout the years, a hidden Christian anecdote about the classic peppermint cane has been passed on through generations. It possibly dates way back to churches in Germany in 1670 and a Christian candymaker in Indiana according to legends. Despite varied interpretations of the candy cane’s tie to Jesus’ birth and how the tale came about, the candy cane is undoubtedly a sweet and special way to remember and teach others the true meaning of Christmas during the holiday season. Even junior Kelan Steed has this to say: “I love the taste of candy canes and the way that we can tie them into the Christmas story of Jesus.”
The candy cane’s Christian story is made of multiple different symbols relating to Christianity, with each touching on a different aspect of the true meaning of Christmas and relating to a multitude of Bible scriptures. The most prevalent of these symbols are the cane’s shape alluding to a shepherd’s cane, the upside-down form of the candy cane making the first letter of the Savior’s name, the red and white colors alluding to Jesus’ characteristics, and the candy’s hard texture. Each aspect of the candy cane thoroughly allows those who choose to indulge in its sweetness a thoughtful remembrance of Jesus, His birth, and how He affects the world.
The most obvious connection to the Christmas story is the shape of the candy creating a cane, which is the same shape as a staff, alluding to the shepherds who went to visit the baby Jesus traditionally used to herd their sheep. According to John 10:11, Jesus is the best of shepherds as He shelters the people of the world as the shepherds did to their sheep. The allusion of the candy cane resembling a shepherd’s staff serves as a tribute to the “shepherd” who sacrificed Himself for his “sheep.”
Additionally, the candy cane’s shape also corresponds to another meaning: the honor of Jesus’ name. If one is to flip the candy cane upside down, the cane looks exactly like the capital letter “J.” The name “Jesus” translates to “the Lord is salvation,” which is why the angel Gabriel’s declaration of Mary’s son’s name is such a powerful sentiment of the Christmas story. Matthew 1:21 describes this perfectly by stating that Mary will give birth to a baby and “name him Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.” The candy cane’s upside-down structure gives a visual representation of the symbolic nature of the Savior’s name.
The red and white stripes represent two important concepts of Jesus Christ and what He went through: His purity and the blood He shed to take the weight of the world’s sin upon himself. The color white is an emblem of purity, which Jesus Himself was pure. He led a life without sin, and as stated in Isaiah 1:18, through His birth, life, and death, the opportunity to be “white as snow” is also given to those who believe. Correspondingly, the red on the candy cane symbolizes the blood Jesus Christ shed when He was killed on the cross. Though Christmas primarily celebrates Jesus’ birth, the sacrifice He would go on to make shows the meaning and importance of His arrival on Earth, which is why remembering His crucifixion is also important at Christmas. The candy cane’s colors allow for this tribute and reminder nonchalantly and peacefully.
The final component of the Christian meaning of the candy cane is the hardness of the peppermint. When one bites on a candy cane, its crunch exhibits the hard texture of the candy’s structure. Similarly, Jesus is the “Rock” of the world and if one builds their life around faith in Him, the ways of the world can never come between Jesus and His children. Just as a candy cane may break into multiple pieces that remain dense, Christians may have very different lives and stories yet all hold Jesus as the center of their lives. The hardness of the peppermint canes reminds one that even when life gets hard, Jesus is still the foundation.
While some may not believe in the Christian Christmas story, the legend of the candy cane offers a creative and interactive way of learning, remembering, and honoring the true meaning of Christmas for those who believe. Additionally, the legend can be used as a way of ministry and a conversation starter for those who are curious about faith, especially around Christmas time. Candy cane sales are higher than ever, with various flavors and stripe colors now being sold by the dozen, and the candy is the perfect touch to every holiday activity. Just as the sweetness of a candy cane brings smiles and happiness, so did the arrival of the baby Jesus so long ago, and His story still brings light into a dark world even today. So, when one unwraps a candy cane, perhaps he should take a moment to recognize and remember all aspects of the bigger picture illustrated simply in the red and white stripes of the small peppermint staff.
Sources Used:
https://www.history.com/news/candy-canes-invented-germany
https://www.thebettermom.com/blog/2013/12/13/teach-about-jesus-with-the-legend-of-the-candy-cane
Verses and connections from: https://www.creativebiblestudy.com/candy-cane-story.html#google_vignette
