The Candy Cane Gospel

What do you think of when you see a candy cane? A Christmas decoration? A sweet treat? There’s more to see! Here are 5 ways candy canes can help us remember the real meaning of Christmas. If you turn a candy cane in just the right way, you will see the letter ‘J’ which reminds us of the Savior’s name. Before Jesus was born, an angel delivered a special message from God: “Call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Now turn the candy cane around and it looks like a shepherd’s staff—a curved stick used by shepherds to care for and protect their sheep. This reminds us that shepherds were among the first people to see Jesus after He was born in Bethlehem (read Luke 2:8-20). After Jesus grew up, He performed many miracles and taught the people about God. He said people are like lost sheep, and that He is “the good shepherd” who can rescue us from sin and death (John 10:11). Candy canes have beautiful stripes that are usually red. These red stripes rem