By Brittany Wagler
“Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
A Candy Connection
When I was a little kid, I got excited for Christmastime because it was my favorite holiday. With this time of year comes all sorts of seasonal treats including candy canes.
I remember learning in Sunday school that candy canes have an interesting connection to the birth and life of Jesus. The shape itself represents the shepherd’s staff, and when turned upside down, it is a J for Jesus.
The red color represents His blood shed for us, and the white symbolizes His purity.
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“The candy cane analogy is an easy way to teach children about the Christmas story, but it’s also a way that adults can remember the real reason why we celebrate the Christmas season.”
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Remembering and Sharing
Whenever we see a candy cane this Advent season, let’s remember the reason that Jesus came. We can remember the gospel message, and we can be obedient to the call of God to share that message with others.
But let’s not forget that we wouldn’t be able to share this message without Jesus having come to Earth, being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and being born to the Virgin Mary. Jesus had to be born incarnate and through the Holy Spirit to fulfill His mission of restoring humanity by dying for us on the cross.
The candy cane analogy is an easy way to teach children about the Christmas story, but it’s also a way that adults can remember the real reason why we celebrate the Christmas season.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for coming to earth as fully human and fully God to save us from our sins. Please help us remember the reason You came this Advent season. Give us the courage to share the love You showed us by coming to Earth as a human baby to take on and forgive our sins. Amen.
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Brittany Wagler is a Wabash/New South Conference ministerial candidate. She attends the Wilmore (Kentucky) Free Methodist Church for which she originally wrote this devotional article. She will graduate college at the end of this month with a bachelor’s degree in Christian leadership and ministry. She grew up in Michigan. In 2019, her family spent seven months in Guatemala where she was a missionary kid. Her hobbies include photography and drawing.
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