A Sweet Christmas

Hello All,

I am a fan of Christmas candy canes. They look so pretty and taste so good. Also, if you were to turn a candy cane upside down, it would resemble the alphabet, "J", which is the first letter of my name. ;)

During the Christmas season last year, I was in Midvalley with my family doing some Christmas shopping. When we dropped by Cold Storage to pick up some groceries, my eyes caught sight of a section selling candy canes. I bought some of those lovely goodies.

On those boxes were written the origin of those candy canes and how they are related to Christmas. You will find out more about this in the following dialogue I wrote between two of my imaginary talking candy canes, Candy Mandy and Candy Sandy.

A Sweet Christmas

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (16th December 2012)

Candy Sandy: Mandy, I have a question to ask you.

Candy Mandy: Well, what is it?

Candy Sandy: What do candy canes like us have to do with Christmas? Are we just pretty ornaments for the Christmas tree and food for the stomach?

Candy Mandy: It is true that we are ornamental food during the Christmas season which are meant to look and taste good. But our origin has a far deeper meaning....

Candy Sandy: Oh really? What is it? You mean there is a greater significance of our existence?

Candy Mandy: Hmm.. To answer your question, let us go back 2,000 years ago when Jesus was born in a humble stable in Bethlehem...

Candy Sandy: I don't see how we fit into the picture...

Candy Mandy: Be patient and let me finish my story. I have barely begun.

Candy Sandy: Sorry...

Candy Mandy: Okay, although the location of our story is in Bethlehem, let us shift our focus from the stable to a field full of white fluffy sheep with shepherds keeping watch over them at night...

Candy Sandy: Yeah, I know. An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds who were at first petrified. But the angel assured them that he was bringing good news about Jesus' birth. So when do we come in?

Candy Mandy: We are already at the scene. We represent the shepherds' crooks which were used as walking sticks to navigate along rough terrains and also to pull back any sheep straying away from the herd. The shepherd's crook symbolized the humble shepherds in their fields near Bethlehem, who were the first to receive the news, 'Unto you is born a Saviour' from a host of angels. After receiving the good news, the shepherds went immediately to worship baby Jesus who was lying in a manger.

Candy Sandy: That's interesting. Now I know our significance to Christmas.

Candy Mandy: Not only that. Jesus says in the Bible in John 10 that he is the good shepherd of his sheep. He came to earth to lay down his life on the cross for his flock of sinful sheep so that they may receive salvation and eternal life instead of death and judgment. The comforting thing is, he is also always there to lovingly draw back those silly sheep who have wandered away from him and his flock. Just like shepherds who pull back straying sheep with their crooks.

Candy Sandy: Truly enlightening! Do you think we would be used as Christmas play props?

Candy Mandy: Well, that is if we do not get eaten first...

Points for Reflection:

·         Humble and lowly shepherds were the first recipients of the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ proclaimed by a host of angels. God did not choose to reveal himself to the rich and influential people of high positions but to poor shepherds. Isn’t it comforting to know that God does not save people based on their status and achievements but he cares for those who, in the eyes of the world, have nothing to boast about?

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-31)

·         The shepherds who heard the message of Jesus’ birth brought by the angels rejoiced and set out immediately to the stable to worship him. Not only that, they shared the good news with others as well.

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. (Luke 2:15-17)

·         What is your response upon hearing the gospel? Does the message of Jesus Christ fill your heart with joy and hope? Are you eager to share this wonderful news with others who have not accepted Christ as their Saviour? Or is there a great lack of interest and excitement in your heart for the extension of God’s kingdom? Pray for increasing enthusiasm for your spiritual growth in God and for the spreading of the gospel to people around you.

·         As Candy Mandy said, we as children of God are like a flock of sheep under Christ who is our good Shepherd. But I am sure you could recall many times or maybe even at present when you have been a ‘silly sheep’ who, in your heart, has wandered away from Christ and his people. Perhaps you have sought to run life your own way instead of following the loving leadership of Christ.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him [Jesus Christ] the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)

·         Jesus Christ, who is a holy God, willingly came down to earth as a man so that he could be our substitute by taking on the punishment that we rightfully deserve through his death on the cross. Christ is our good Shepherd who was willing to lay down his life for us.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:24-25)

·         Are you one of those sheep who has wandered away from the good Shepherd and his flock? Have the attractions and values of this world lured you away from Christ and your Christian brothers and sisters? You might be regularly attending church every Sunday but has your heart drifted away from the good Shepherd?

·         If so, why don’t you take the opportunity during this Christmas season to return to God? Maybe you could even see him using various ‘crooks’ to draw you back to his flock? It could be your Christian family or friends calling you to come back to church or a Christian sermon or song you heard or perhaps even the words of this email. Come back to the arms of our loving Shepherd and let him guide you as you travel the daunting journey of this life.