Even though you may have heard differently, I’m not Candy-dictator. Let’s just say I monitor sugar quite closely. My girls are as happy as 9 and 10-year-olds can be and their sweetness does not come from sugar intake.
However, I do let them have what is usually referred to as “treats” by the general public – the dairy-free, no msg or corn syrup types, naturally.
The rumors ARE true: my girls do eat candy canes. I was very impressed to hear the story behind this weird thing I never knew growing up and that people seem to love in this culture:
A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would remind people of the true meaning of Christmas; so he made the candy cane to incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.
He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church, and the firmness of the promises of God.
The candymaker then shaped his cane into the form of a “J” to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to the earth as Savior. It could also represent the staff of the “Good Shepherd” with which He reaches down to reclaim the fallen lambs who, like sheep, have gone astray.
Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candymaker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received. The large red stripe was for the bloodshed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life.
I never knew a piece of candy could be so meaningful and I embrace it in the Christmas Season because it is now a reminder I like. But, like “all things Elayna” there’s a twist, of course.
The girls will only be eating the kind described, the white and red ones. Did you expect any less? 😛
Enjoy your candy canes!
Elayna is a single mom of 4, award-winning Storyteller, Story Strategist, and Student of Pain. She’s a bestselling author, internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, and 4x TEDx speaker. Founder of the Positive MOM® and creator of the S.T.O.R.Y. System: a blueprint to craft and share powerful stories that will transform your results, so you can have the wealth, opportunities, and freedom you deserve. Connect with Elayna Fernández at thepositivemom.com/keynote-speaker and follow @thepositivemom. To receive a gift from Elayna, click HERE.
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