For God So Loved the World

 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

I'll tell this the way it was told to me, though I am sure others would disagree with the story; surely no one will disagree with the message. So grab a candy cane and enjoy this sweet tale of Christmas with the whole family.

In the seventh century, when kings and queens declared and enforced the laws with the sword, a law was made that Christmas would no longer be celebrated. It broke the heart of an old candy maker who loved to see the smiles of children as they enjoyed his sweet Christmas treats. He also loved the telling of the Christmas story in churches and homes.  No one was allowed to own or read a Bible except the priests and now that was questionable under the rule of this queen. He wondered how this generation would grow up without the knowledge of Jesus if the laws forbade the telling of the story.

As the old candy maker locked his doors for the evening and knelt by his counter for prayer, the Lord gave him an idea. It was not illegal to make new kinds of candy and he knew just what kind of new candy he would make.

All night the candy maker tweaked his candy recipes to fit the story of Jesus. As the new day dawned, he set out for his shop anxious to get a start on his new candy. He would start with pure white candy and spice it with peppermint. Then he would layer it with red candy, making a pattern of a wide red stripe and three thin red stripes. As he rolled and twisted the hardening candy, he sliced off lengths of candy and bent them into a crook at the top. The next day would be Christmas and he would be ready to share his Christmas story. 

As families entered his shop the next day with faces long and sad because of the canceled holiday, he offered them a new candy and an old story. "See this crook?" he said. "On a night long ago, shepherds stood on a hillside watching their flock by night. Angels announced the birth of a baby born to a virgin. The baby was pure and sinless like the white of this candy cane. His father is God the Father. The baby is the Son of God and He would give us the Holy Spirit." The old candy maker pointed to the three thin stripes going around the candy cane. "The baby was to be called Jesus." The candy maker turned the cane upside down, making the J. "The big red stripe," he said. "stands for the blood Jesus shed on Calvary for our sins. Taste the candy now children. The peppermint reminds us of the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus and the spices used to prepare His body for burial when He died upon the cross." The candy maker followed the large red stripe around the cane as he continued his story.  "His blood covers our sins and offers forgiveness. This, children, is the real story of Christmas, not the toys and candy, but the coming of the Savior of the world as a baby in a manger. Not just visited by shepherds and wise men but to be our Shepherd, who gives us eternal life in Christ."

The parents were grateful their children were able to hear the Christmas story that morning and take home a reminder of the true meaning of the season. 

Now, as you receive a candy cane, examine it for the three thin stripes, the large stripe, the taste of peppermint, and the pure white candy that makes the body of the cane. Turn it to make the J and the shepherd's crook. Now it's your turn to share the gift of Christmas with others. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your Son to die for our sins so that we may have eternal life through Jesus Christ. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Picture credit to Pixabay.com

Legend of The Candy Cane - Sacred Literature Ministries, Taylors, SC

Hey Kids:

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.  

Psalms 34:

The Ambiance of Light

 

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ~ Philippians 2:14,15 

What is there about candlelight that draws me to it?

Perhaps it's the ambiance it creates. 

• It never grumbles or complains
• It burns brighter and brighter
• It dances with the flickers of light
• It reflects that dance on the walls
• It comforts with warmth
• It opens up the vision 
• It draws others to it

The longer it burns the shorter it grows, but it never goes out as long as there is wick to burn.

The Reflection

So when I grumble and complain am I drawing others to Christ? Will others listen when I try to witness? Who would want to be a part of something or someone who promotes sadness and makes others around them unhappy or depressed? No one. 

The Ambiance

How can I create an ambiance of joy, peace, happiness, love? 

Perhaps by leaving the grumbling and complaining behind, giving it all to Christ.

Remember/reflect that no matter the situation, He is working things out for His purposes and our good.

The Comfort

Perhaps by living a blameless and harmless lifestyle.

Demonstrating love and kindness to all people goes a long way in the midst of a divided and hopeless people.

The Vision

Perhaps by shining as lights in the world, creating an ambiance of joy, of love, and of peace. People must first know we care before they will listen to the message of salvation. 

Heavenly Father, help me be your light. Help me create that ambiance of peace and comfort, of joy and dancing. Thank you for the privilege to shine for you even to my waning days. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Gail Cartee: Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Gail Cartee: Sleep in Heavenly Peace: And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehe...

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. ~Luke 2: 15,16 KJV

Have you ever tried to picture Mary and Joseph in a stable tucked back into a cave? Close your eyes and uses your imagination. Create the sensory reactions of the stable. What does it smell like, How does the straw feel when walked or lain on? What sounds are heard?
Wait! What's that sound? Is it the sound of someone struggling from pain? Infant cries. What is going on in this stable. May I offer a poem of that first night?
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Mom and Joseph labored through the night
Now He is here, pink and perfect.
Joseph speaks and His head turns,
Eyes searching as if to say,
"I know that voice. That's my Joseph".


He easily finds both fists and suckles loudly.
Bright eyes search the face who holds him.
Mom nestles him close to her breast.
His head turns from His fists to her warm food.
She smiles and relaxes as her milk lets down.


He nurses strong, then begins to doze and
Awake to snack and doze and snack
And doze and ...
His chin quivers as her breast slips from His mouth.
Sleep, peaceful, quiet, heavenly sleep.


Swaddled in clean cloths, He is laid in the manger.
Whispers enter the barn door.
Shepherds shuffle in the shadows of lantern light.
Quiet awe at the sight of the angels' message.
"For unto you is born...a Saviour, which is
Christ the Lord."


Father God, help us make the Christmas season real. May we be aware of Mary's struggles in a smelly barn. May we be aware of Joseph's anxious feelings of delivering a baby, Your Son into the world. Help us be aware of Your miracles around us swaddled in the ordinary. In Jesus' name. Amen.