Sometime during the latter part of the 18th century in England, when all religious symbols were banned from public display, no longer could Christian's recognize on another by any kind of symbolic jewelry, clothing or anything else for that matter. It was during this time it is saidthat there was a candy maker, who was also a Christian, who set out to find some way for the members of the Christian famil to identify each other. He began with a white candy to signify purity and the holiness of Jesus Christ. Next he fashioned the candy cane into the shape of a shepards staff, as a reminder that our Heavenly Father is the Good Shepard. Then he placed three small red stripes around the candy to represent the encompassing power and presence of the Trinty the Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Finally he placed a single bold red stripe throughout the candy to demonstrate the redeeming power and the blood Christ shed upon the cross for each of us, and the forgiveness of sins. This was a hope that each would be reminded in a sutle way of the love God has for us and the price he paid for our salvation.
Hang Candy Canes
With peppermint extract and red food coloring, your children can turn this simple dough into edible ornaments for the tree.
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
red food coloring
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugan. Add the egg and beat well. Stir in the peppermint and vanilla extracts. Gradually mix in the flour. Divide the dough in half. Color one half with red food coloring, leave the other half plain. Roll out a tablespoon of red dough and a tablespoon of plain until they are each 6 to 8 inches long. Twist them into a candy cane, pinching the ends. Repeat until all mixture has been rolled out. Bake on an ungreased cookie shee for 8 to 10 minutes, 0or until set but not brown. Makes about 25.
