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Thursday, December 18, 2014

The Good Shepherd Brings Joy



           Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  It’s the perfect drink to quench your thirst as you go about getting ready for Christmas!  How ‘bout a candy cane to snack on with your juice this morning.

             Many of us have heard the story of the origin of the candy cane.  But in case you haven’t, the story is told that many years ago, a candy maker wanted to make a Christmas candy that would serve as a witness to his Christian faith.  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.
     
           The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. He thought it could also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd. Throughout the Bible Jesus is referred to as our shepherd. In John 10:11 Jesus Himself said: “I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” The red stripes on the candy cane were to represent the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life. 

            As you browse the stores and see boxes of candy canes lining the shelves; as you see them used in decorations or given as treats….think about the story of the candy cane and celebrate the birth of Jesus with a sweet JOY that can come only from knowing Him.

 Candy canes are a Christmas treat;
 Very pretty and good to eat.
 But the real joy of Christmas is found in Christ. 
 He came, He lived and for us He died.


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