There is something wonderful about a sweet treat with a legend behind for the holidays. Make the candy cane legend a Christmas tradition in your family.

The Legend of the Candy Cane

with special Candy Cane Legend Poem Printables

Reading to and with my children was always a special thing at our house. And every Christmas I would read, The Candymaker’s Gift: A Legend of the Candy Cane by Helen Haidle and David C. Cook. As the title suggests, it is the legend of the candy cane, and I’d like to share it with you.

Following the story, I have made some FREE PRINTABLES for you, just in time for Christmas gift giving. So, read and enjoy…

The Legend of the Candy Cane

Long ago, a candymaker wanted to make a special Christmastime treat that would serve as a witness to his Christian faith. He wanted to incorporate several symbols into this new candy. Symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus.

He began his candy making with a stick of pure white hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus. Hard to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the church. And firm to represent the promise of God.

The candymaker made the candy in the shape of a “J” to represent the name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. He thought the shape could also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd. The staff with which he reached down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray.

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candymaker stained it with red stripes. The stripes would show the scourging Jesus received, by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life.

Unfortunately, the candy became known as the candy cane–a meaningless decoration seen at Christmastime. But the true meaning behind the candy cane is still there for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Isn’t this a wonderful story? I hope you will share this with your family and friends during this Christmas season and all the Christmases to come.

Now, onto those FREE PRINTABLES!

I created a graphic using the Candy Cane Legend Poem. There are three different printables available: Full-size for framing, large gift tags, and small gift tags. They would be great for decorating and gifting. Attach a small tag to a candy cane to hand out to children at school or around the neighborhood, hostess gifts, and more. Come back and check out next Monday’s post for a way to use these printables with a special Adult Gift!