Some of you who have been reading my blog for the last few years know that I have a couple of Christmas traditions that will always be a part of my life.
There are the books that sit on my coffee table, the nativity that decorates my living room and the candy canes that sit in a basket at the door and make their way into my purse on each of my outings.
Even though we are in the RV and space is limited the nativity still graces the mantel, the books (we’ll talk about some of those in the next few days) are on the small table in the living room and I keep candy canes in my purse.
All three items tie together and are a part of my Christmas traditions.
Years ago, I mean many years ago, I was introduced to a book, “The Legend of the Candy Cane”. I was on staff at a Calvary Chapel in Encinitas CA when I found it on the shelves of their bookstore. I bought it and the coffee mug that was a part of the set.
Handing out Candy Canes with this little message is a great way to share Jesus at Christmas.
The story is of a candy maker who befriends a little girl while she helps him unpack the merchandise for his new stop. There are gum drops, licorice sticks, butterscotch drops, lemons drops and then there was a new candy she had never seen.
It was a red and white crook, like the kind a shepherd would use. The candy maker told her the crook was for the “Good Shepherd” who came to take care of us all. The white represented the sinless life of Jesus and the red for was the blood He shed to save us. When turned upside down, the crook became a J – the first letter in the shepherd’s name, Jesus.
“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and they know me. 15 Just as the Father knows me, I know the Father, and I give up my life for my sheep. ” John 10:14-15 CEV
Christmas is all about sharing the love that Jesus has for us. Giving out candy canes with this little message is just one way I do that.
“ I have not turned away from Your Law, for You Yourself have taught me. 103 How sweet is Your Word to my taste! It is sweeter than honey to my mouth! ” Psalm 119:102-103 NLV
I hope each of us will be an ambassador of the sweet peace of God’s love this season.