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CANDY CANE LEGEND

According to the legend of the candy cane, this candy was first created back in the 18th century. At that time, in certain areas of Europe, there was said to be a ban on public displays of Christianity. Christians were oppressed and no Bibles or crosses could be owned at the time. One man found this oppression distressing and wished he could share the love of Jesus and the joy of Christmas with the rest of the world. When Christmas came around, children didn’t get to see nativity scenes or enjoy learning about the truth of Christmas. As a candy maker, this man prayed to find a way that he could offer local children a Christmas gift that would allow him to communicate the real story of Christmas.

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His prayer led to an idea--The Candy Cane.

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  • The Shepherd's Staff: He chose to make the candy cane in the shape of a shepherd’s staff. After all, Jesus is the shepherd to his followers and the Bible notes that the “sheep” would hear His voice and follow him (Psalm 23:1, John 10:11, John 10:27-30, Isaiah 40:11).

  • The Letter J for Jesus:Not only was the candy cane in the shape of a staff, but when held upside down, it formed a “J,” which stood for Jesus (Luke 1:31, Matthew 1:21).

  • He is A Rock: The candy maker chose hard candy for the candy cane, which was done to remind children that Jesus was our “rock,” dependable and strong (Psalm 31:3).

  • By His Stripes: Wide red stripes were added to the candy cane, representative of the crucifixion and the blood Jesus shed for our sins.

  • Red-His Shed Blood: Through his blood, we are given salvation and life (Revelation 1:5, John 3:16, Luke 22:20).

  • White-Purification from Sin: There are also white stripes on the candy cane, which represents the holiness, and purity of Jesus, who was sinless (I John 1:7).

  • Sweet Fragrance of Christ: Peppermint was the flavor that the candy maker chose for the candy cane. Peppermint was very similar to hyssop, which was used for sacrifice and purification in the Old Testament, reminding us of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. It also reminds us of the spices brought by the Wise Men when they came to visit Jesus (Psalm 51:7, John 10:29, Matthew 2:11).

  • Broken For Us: Of course, when the candy cane is eaten, it is often broken, which the candy maker meant as a reminder that when Jesus was crucified, his body was broken (I Cor. 11:24).

  • Love of Christ: The candy cane was also made to be given as a gift, representing the love of Jesus when he gave us the gift of salvation.

CONVER

SATION

QUESTIONS

Here is what some of the questions look like.

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  • WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT A PERSON SITTING NEXT TO YOU?

  • SHARE A CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FAIL

  • WHAT 3 WORDS WOULD YOU USE TO DESCRIBE YOUR FAMILY?

  • WHAT IS THE NICEST THING THE PERSON SITTING ACROSS FROM YOU HAS DONE?

  • IF YOU COULD ONLY CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

  • WHO IS THE FUNNIEST PERSON SITTING AT THE TABLE AND WHY?

  • IF YOU COULD ONLY EAT ONE DISH FROM THIS TABLE FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

  • WHAT’S ON YOUR CHRISTMAS WISH LIST?

  • IF MONEY WOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE WHERE WOULD YOU WANT THE NEXT FAMILY REUNION TO HAPPEN?

  • DESCRIBE YOUR LIFE 10 YEARS FROM NOW.

  • WHAT IS YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE TOY?

  • EACH KID TELLS HOW THEY THINK THEIR PARENTS MET. PARENTS GO LAST.

  • HARDEST YOU LAUGHED THIS YEAR

  • IF YOU HAD A PRIVATE PLANE FOR A DAY, WHERE WOULD YOU FLY YOUR FAMILY TO?

  • WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU AND THE WHOLE FAMILY WOULD BE SNOWED IN FOR AN ENTIRE MONTH?

  • IF YOU HAD TO GAIN 10 POUNDS, WHAT WOULD YOU EAT TO GAIN THE WEIGHT?

  • WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING ……… YEARS OLD?

  • IF YOU COULD BE INVISIBLE FOR ONE DAY, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO OBSERVE?

  • IF YOU HAD THE ATTENTION OF THE WORLD FOR JUST 30 SECONDS, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

  • IF YOU WERE GIVEN $5000 TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE, HOW WOULD YOU SPEND IT?

  • IT WOULDN’T BE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT….

  • WHAT IS THE FUNNIEST THING YOUR PARENT/KID HAVE EVER DONE?

  • IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PRESENT TO THE WHOLE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

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