Candy Cane History and Legends:

• Legend has it that in 1670, the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany handed out sugar sticks among his young singers to keep them quiet during the long Living Creche ceremony. In honor of the occasion, he had the candies bent into shepherds' crooks.

• In 1847, a German-Swedish immigrant named August Imgard of Wooster, Ohio, decorated a small blue spruce with paper ornaments and candy canes. It wasn't until the turn of the century that the red and white stripes and peppermint flavors became the norm.

• Sometime later in the state of Indiana, USA, a candymaker wanted to make a Christmas candy that would be a reminder of Jesus Christ, and the reason for celebrating His birth. So he made the Christmas candy cane. He started off with a stick of pure white hard candy. The white color symbolized the virgin birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and the hard candy symbolized the solid rock which He was as the foundation of the church, and firmness of the promises of God fulfilled in Jesus.

  The candymaker made the candy in the form of a “J”, which represented the name of Jesus and the crooked staff of a shepherds on the hill that received the good news of His birth. Jesus is also the Good Shepherd. He then stained it with three thin stripes which represented the 3 nail piercings of Jesus at crucifixion, and 1 thick red stripe to symbolize the perfect blood shed by Christ Jesus on the cross for our redemption. When you break the cane, it reminds us that Jesus' body was willingly broken for us, so we could be made whole and forgiven. Wow!

Now when you consume one of these traditional Christmas treats this year, may you be reminded of its powerful history and meaning! Then share with others that it was truly made to share the love of JESUS Christ. Relish the taste of the lasting sweetness of forgiveness interlaced with a purifying peppermint taste that cleanses and wafts a permeating scent of peace of earth and news of great joy! Rejoice and enjoy! Merry Christmas!

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Healthy Benefits of Peppermint

Ancient Egyptians used peppermint to relieve digestive disorders and as a mouth freshener.

May Improve Liver Function

May Improve Cold Symptoms

Helps with Respiratory Issues

Kills Germs that cause Bad Breath

Anti-Cancer Properties

Anti-viral Properties

Anti-Bacterial Agent

May Enhance Memory

Helps Reduce Nausea

Relieves Headaches

Aids in Digestion

Helps relieve symptoms of Depression And Stress

Helps with Weight Loss

Helpful In Treating IBS

Helps treat Acne

Treatment Of Dandruff

Treatment Of Head Lice