The true origins of the ubiquitous Christmas candy cane cannot be known. However, the legend told and its symbolism make a sweet (pun intended) seasonal story.

The story begins in 17th century Germany. A choirmaster is said to have given sticks of candy to reward good behavior by his young singers during the Christmas Eve living creche. To make the candy “more religious” and to please his church board, he curved one end to represent a shepherd’s staff.

Fast forward to 19th century United States. A German-Swedish immigrant living in Ohio used the candy shepherd staffs to decorate his Christmas tree. Later a candy maker in Indiana redesigned the candy with red and white stripes to proclaim the truths of Christ and God’s great love.

In the 20th century in Albany, Georgia, candy manufacturer Robert McCormick perfected candy cane production process. The Company he founded is still a leading producer of candy canes.

In current times, the candy cane symbolism consists of the following:

• White to show Jesus as pure, holy and without sin. God washes our sins away and makes us white as snow when we trust in Jesus as our Savior. Hebrews 4:15 and Isaiah 1:18
• Red represents the blood of Jesus shed for us. The red stripes also depict the stripes on His back as He was beaten. Isaiah 53:5
• Hardness because Jesus is our rock. Luke 6:38 and Ephesians 2:20
• The curved shape is like a shepherd’s staff. Jesus is our Good Shepherd. John 10:11
• And lastly, an upside down candy cane is “J” for Jesus. Matthew 1:21

Urban legend or folklore notwithstanding, any reflection on the true meaning of Christmas is not time wasted.