Week of December 16, 2002
Nancy E.

We attended the funeral of Jack's brother, Rev. William E. Ervin, last December. Connecting children to the Christian faith was one of his priorities during his service as a minister. As a remembrance of Bill, I would like to share with you an event done for Sunday School children at the church he served in McKeesport, PA at St. John's ELCA. At Christmas time, each child was given a candy cane with the following message attached to it.

A candy cane is more than just a sweet at Christmas. It can remind us of Jesus whose birth we celebrate:

• The wide red stripes remind us that Jesus shed His blood for our sins. (1 Corinthians 15:3)
• Its narrow red stripes remind us that by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
• Its white stripes stand for purity; by His death we were made pure. (Matthew 5:8)
• The peppermint flavor is similar to hyssop that was used in Biblical times for purification. (Psalms 51:7)
• Its taste is sweet, as it is sweet to walk with Jesus. (Micah 6:8)-- It is shape is like a shepherd/s staff. (Psalm 23:1)
• Turn the candy cane upside down; it becomes a J for Jesus. (Psalm 72:17)

Buy yourself a candy cane this Christmas season. While you enjoy this old-fashioned Christmas treat, use the scriptures cited above to reflect on your faith. Buy an extra candy cane and give it to another child of God.

Thank you Jesus for
loving your children of all ages. Amen.
 

Contributed by Nancy E.
Published Monday December 16, 2002
Week 3 of Liturgical Year B