We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
The candy cane's humble origins: Do YOU know the sweet treat's story?
FREE Catholic Classes
As soon as Thanksgiving is over, pine trees are erected and decorated, festive music can be heard, Christmas presents are purchased and wrapped and iconic holiday candies are released from their summertime hibernation.
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
12/25/2015 (6 years ago)
Published in Home & Food
Keywords: Candy cane, Christmas, Jesus, staff, God
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Every December brings with it "We wish you a Merry Christmas" Hershey's commercials, peppermint flavored everything, egg nog and of course, several colorful and flavorful candy canes!
Though these days candy canes can be found in a multitude of colors, did you know the original candy canes were pure white?
Legend has it a choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral created the sugary treat to help keep children quiet during church.With a little help from a candy maker, a hook was added to the top of the stick to better resemble a shepherd's staff -specifically the Shepard who paid infant Jesus a visit.
The white of the cane was meant to symbolize the Christ child's purity. The candy cane's popularity spread far and wide, and as it's meaning was based in Christ's birth, it eventually became associated with Christmastime.Many believe today's candy canes can either resemble a shepherd's staff or, when turned upside-down, the letter "J," for "Jesus."
The addition of the red stripe has led many to believe the significance of the humble candy cane serves as an excellent representation of God's gift to us all -His one and only son.
The red is believed to represent the blood Christ shed on the cross. Combined, one can say the candy cane is a letter "j" representing the sacrifice of an innocent, or a shepherd's staff highlighting the birth of an innocent who eventually grew to become the world's Savior through crucifixion.
No matter which way you want to view it, the candy cane's origin is rooted in Christianity, so spread the word and don't forget to hang a few of these delicious candies on your Christmas tree this year!
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
Saint of the Day for Saturday, June 25th, 2022
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Prayer of the Day for Saturday, June 25
-
The Apostles' Creed
-
Bible
-
St. William of Vercelli
-
Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
-
A Guide for Confession
-
Saint Feast Days in June
On the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary: Mary and the Early Fathers
-
Roe Died Today. The Culture of Life Rises, and the Real Work Begins
-
LIFE HAS WON - SURPEME COURT OVERTURNS ROE v. WADE!
-
One powerful choice you can make, just by eating!
-
Is there anything we can do to get you to support FREE Catholic education?
Daily Catholic
Daily Readings for Sunday, June 26, 2022
St. Anthelm: Saint of the Day for Sunday, June 26, 2022
Blessed Mother: Prayer of the Day for Sunday, June 26, 2022
- Daily Readings for Saturday, June 25, 2022
- St. William of Vercelli: Saint of the Day for Saturday, June 25, 2022
- The Apostles' Creed: Prayer of the Day for Saturday, June 25, 2022
To all our readers,
Please don't scroll past this. We interrupt your reading to humbly ask you to defend Catholic Online School's independence. 98% of our readers don't give; they look the other way. If you are an exceptional reader who has already donated, we sincerely thank you. If you donate just $10.00, or whatever you can, Catholic Online School could keep thriving for years. Most people donate because Catholic Online School is useful. If Catholic Online School has given you $10.00 worth of knowledge this year, take a minute to donate. Show the world that access to Catholic education matters to you. Thank you.Help Now >
Copyright 2021 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2021 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.