Let's not take CHRIST out of Christmas :)

The true meaning of the Candy Cane

Look at the Candy Cane
What do you see?
Stripes that are red
Like the blood shed for me

White is for my Savior
Who's sinless and pure!
"J" is for Jesus My Lord, that's for sure!

Turn it around
And a staff you will see
Jesus my shepherd
Was born for Me!



Candy Canes are YUMMY!
When you see a candy cane, are you reminded of how much Jesus loves you? Jesus came to earth over 2000 years ago to demonstrate His love for the WHOLE world!

A GREAT IDEA
Share the love of Jesus with your neighbors and friends! Make a few of the crafts and recipes below. Print the story of the candy cane and attach to your "gift." Dress in Christmassy colors and visit your neighbors. Wish them "Merry Christmas" and give them your candy cane gift :) It will warm their heart as well as yours this season!

The LEGEND of the Candy Cane
A Candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would help us remember who Christmas is really about. So he made a Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated 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 sinless nature of Jesus. Hard candy to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God.
The candymaker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus. It also represented the staff of the "Good Shepherd".
The candymaker then included red stripes. He used three small stripes and a large red stripe to represent the suffering Christ endured at the end of his life.
The candy became known as a Candy Cane - a decoration seen at Christmas time. The meaning has faded, but still gives joy to children young and old, whom Jesus loves and treasures.


Nothing warms the heart like HOT COCOA!
Candy Cane Cocoa
4 cups milk3 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped4 peppermint candy canes, crushed1 cup whipped cream4 small peppermint candy canes
Heat the milk until steaming hot - NOT boiling. Add the chocolate and crushed peppermint candy and allow them to melt and become smooth.
Pour into Christmas mugs and garnish with whipped cream. Add candy cane stirring stick to make it extra special :)

Candy Cane Recipe Ideas

Candy Cane Fudge
1 package vanilla milk chips 1 can Pillsbury Vanilla Creamy Supreme Icing 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract 4 drops of red food coloring 2 Tablespoons of peppermint candy canes (chopped)
Put vanilla chips in pan on the stove at medium heat. Continue stirring until the chips have melted. Add icing to pan and continue stirring. Take off heat and add peppermint extract until dissolved. Pour mixture into a pan. Take food coloring and add one drop in each corner of pan. Take butter knife and begin stirring until the food coloring has been swirled into the fudge. Add chopped peppermint pieces to top of fudge. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until the fudge has harden. Cut into small pieces.

Chocolate Candy Cane Bites
4 3-oz. chocolate bars, 2 semisweet 1 milk & 1 white chocolate1/2 c Crushed candy canes
Using 3 separate bowls for the 3 different types of chocolate, melt the candy bars. Stir half of the candy into the semisweet chocolate. Set aside a little of the candy for sprinkling and then stir the remaining candy into the other 2 types of chocolate. Drop by teaspoons onto a parchment lined tray. Top each with a drop of the milk and the white chocolates. Sprinkle with the candy and allow time to harden.


Candy Cane Cookies
Ingredients:1 cup butter - softened 1 cup confectioners' sugar 1 egg 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup finely crushed candy canes 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Directions:Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a large bowl, with an electric beater on medium speed, cream the butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and the peppermint and vanilla extracts and beat until well blended. Gradually add the flour and salt; mix well. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour. Coat two baking sheets with non-stick cooking spray. In a shallow bowl, combine the crushed candy canes and the granulated sugar; mix well. Shape the chilled dough into 1-inch balls then roll each ball in the candy cane mixture; place on the baking sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until browned. Immediately remove from the baking sheets and place on wire racks to cool.

Candy Crunch White Bark
Ingredients:1 pound vanilla-flavor candy coating3/4 cup crushed fruit-flavor candy canes
Line a baking sheet with foil; set aside. Heat candy coating in a heavy medium saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until candy is melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
Stir in 1/2 cup of the crushed candy canes. Pour mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread mixture to about 3/8-inch thickness. Sprinkle with the remaining crushed candies.
Chill candy about 30 minutes or until firm. (Or, let candy stand at room temperature for several hours until firm.) Use foil to lift firm candy from the baking sheet; carefully break candy into pieces. Store tightly covered up to 2 weeks. Makes 1 pound (16 servings).


Jesus is the REASON for the season!
From the book of Luke:

2:7
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

2:8
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

2:9
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

2:10
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

2:12
And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

2:13
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.


Candy Cane Craft Ideas

Candy Cane Reindeer
What do you need?1 12" pipe cleanerRibbon - Christmas ColorWiggley eyes 4mm or 5mm1 1/4" red pom-pomScissors, glue
Loop the pipe cleaner underneath the curved end of the candy cane. Twist until it's nice and tight. Spread the ends apart to form the antlers. Glue the eyes and nose in place. Decorate with the ribbon around the reindeer's neck :)

Candy Cane Candle
What do you need?1 small round candleEnough candy canes to go around the candle.*** Canes need to be same height as candle ***GluePretty Christmas Ribbon
Glue each of the candy canes to the candle until the candle is completely covered.
Decorate with Christmas ribbon and bow :)