There was a man who loved Jesus so much that he decided to do something special for Jesus' birthday. Since he was a candymaker, he decided to use his talents to make a special candy to honor Jesus, so he designed the first candy cane.

If the candy cane is held upright, it is in the shape of a shepherd's staff, which the shepherd uses as he watches over his sheep. Jesus is our Shepherd." I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." (John 10:11). If the candy cane is turned upside-down it becomes the letter "J" for Jesus.

The scriptures tell us that by Jesus' stripes we are healed. "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5).

Jesus was beaten and stripes were put upon his back when He was crucified for our sin . "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (1 Peter 2:24).

So the candy cane was made with red and white stripes to represent the blood of Jesus which washes away our sins and makes us pure and white as snow. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18).

One bold stripe for our belief in one God who is father of us all and three stripes are for the trinity. "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." (1 John 5:7). One God who has revealed Himself to us in three ways: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

There are a lot of candy canes in the stores today made with different colors, but they are not true candy canes unless they are red and white and have one bold stripe and three fine stripes.

True candy canes are Christian candy canes because they tell a story about Jesus.

"For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten son,

that whosoever believeth on him shall not perish,

but have everlasting life."

(John 3:16)

The love of Jesus is for you. Open your heart and believe!