What is the Catholic meaning of the candy cane?
In Indiana, a candy maker wanted to make a candy that could be a reminder of Jesus Christ, so he made the Christmas candy cane. He started off with a stick of pure white hard candy. He then stained it with three stripes which showed the scourging Jesus received, and symbolized the blood shed by Christ on the cross.
What does candy cane symbolize?
The ubiquitous Christmas candy cane is a symbol of the simple roots of Christianity, one so old that we have all but forgotten its origin. The candy takes the shape of a shepherd’s crook, representing the humble shepherds who were first to worship the newborn Christ.
What does an upside down candy cane mean?
The Letter J for Jesus: Not only was the candy cane in the shape of a staff, but when held upside down, it formed a “J,” which stood for Jesus. Love of Christ: The candy cane was also made to be given as a gift, representing the love of Jesus when he gave us the gift of salvation.
Why are candy canes hooked?
In the mid-1600s, confectioners (candy makers) made candy sticks by hand. Because of the shepherds in the Nativity story, the choirmaster bent the candy sticks into canes to represent the shepherd’s crook. The cane-shaped candy sticks became a tradition at the church.
Who invented the candy cane?
The first documented case of candy canes occurred in 1847 when a German-Swedish immigrant named August Imgard of Wooster, Ohio, decorated a small blue spruce tree with the candy.
Why is mint a Christmas flavor?
The flavor of mint can cut through the richer flavors associated with food eaten during the holiday season. It’s a palette cleanser of sorts. Mint leaves behind a cool sensation in the mouth and, as Christmas is associated with snow and ice, this seems to make sense as the flavor of snow.
What is the true story of the candy cane?
“Legend has it that the candy cane dates back to 1670, when the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany handed out sugar sticks among his young singers to keep them quiet during the Living Creche ceremony,” Schildhaus says. “In honor of the occasion, he bent the candies into shepherds’ crooks.”
When did candy canes originate?
What’s in a candy cane?
Like most hard sweets, candy canes call for a few basic ingredients: sugar, water, corn syrup, along with some peppermint extract for flavor and food coloring. The challenge lies in boiling the sugar, then pulling the candy until it’s stiff but pliable, and finally, forming it into the right shapes.
What are candy canes good for?
Yes, it freshens your breath, but it’s actually a natural antiseptic, so it helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. It’s also great for relieving headaches and nausea or any other digestive-related issues (um, hello post-holiday tummy ache).
Are candy canes religious?
Many people believe that the shape and form of the candy cane have religious meaning. It is believe that the red stripes of the candy cane represent the blood of Christ and the white stripes of the candy cane represent the purity of Christ. The three fine stripes are believed to represent the Holy Trinity.
What does the candy cane mean in Catholic Church?
In the bulletin of a Catholic church I attend, there was a section titled “Christmas Ornaments and their Meanings,” with this about the candy cane: “The candy cane begins with a stick of white candy. The white symbolizes the purity of Christ. Red stripes remind us of the blood shed by Christ on the cross for us so that we may have eternal life.
What do the stripes on a candy cane mean?
“The candy cane begins with a stick of white candy. The white symbolizes the purity of Christ. Red stripes remind us of the blood shed by Christ on the cross for us so that we may have eternal life. The candy cane is formed into a ‘J’ to represent the precious name of Jesus.
What does the J Mean on a candy cane?
The candy cane is formed into a ‘J’ to represent the precious name of Jesus. It also represents the staff of the Good Shepherd. Its hard consistency represents the Solid Rock, the foundation of the church and the firmness of the promises of Christ.”.
How is the candy cane story an object lesson?
You’ve may have heard the Candy Cane Story before. The candy cane is a beautiful Christmas object lesson with which to share the true meaning of Christmas. Hold up a candy cane or give every child one to hold. Have them describe it to you. As they share their observations, tell them how each tells about Jesus Christ.