Hard Candy - Reminds us that Jesus is like a "rock," strong and dependable. ( Read Psalms 31:1)
Peppermint Flavor- Reminds us of the gift of spices from the wise men. ( Read Matthew 2:11)
White Candy- Stands for Jesus as the pure, sinless Son of God. ( Read 1 John 1:7)
Cane Shape- Is like a staff used by shepherds in caring for sheep. Reminds us of Jesus our " Good Shepherd. ( Read John 10:1-18 27-30)
The Letter " J"- is the first letter in the name of Jesus Our Savior ( Read Matthew 1:21)
The Color Red- Reminds us that Jesus is the Gift of God's love. Also reminds us that Jesus shed His blood for us. ( Read John 3:16 and Revelation 1:5)
Red Stripes- The large stripe reminds us of the cross on which Jesus died. Three small red stripes remind us of His sufferings; the whip on His back, the crown of thorns on His head, and the nail wounds in His hands and feet. ( Read John 19:1-30).

   This story is not new, but I thought it might be a nice reminder of the spirit of Christmas and the spirit of being a Christian.

   Not long ago a preacher had closed out a revival and boarded the train to start on his journey home. He sat down beside a young man and tried to start a conversation with him while making some comment about the weather. The young man didn't answer him so they rode on in silence.    In a little while the preacher heard the young man break out in sobs so he leaned over and put his arms around his shoulders and said Son I'm a minister and I’d like to help you in some way if I can, The young man said Yes preacher I've got to talk to someone.

   You see about two years ago I had grown so wicked and went so far as to strike my dad with my fist. My dad told me son, you've grown so wicked that you're worrying your mother to death and you are going to have to leave home .    So you see preacher for the past two years I guess I've done just a little bit of everything that could be thought of that's wrong  But about a week ago, I knelt down at an old fashion altar and the Lord gloriously saved my soul. The first thing I thought of was my dear old mother and dad; And oh.. . .  how I'd love to go back home. I sat down and wrote my dad a latter and said ... Dad if you could find it in your heart to forgive me please let me come back home. I told him that I would be on this train and if he wanted me to get off I would. Well this kind of confused the preacher a little bit and he said, Son just how are you going to know that your dad has forgiven you? The young man replied, Preacher for just about all my life we've lived by these old railroad tracks in a little broken-down house and out in the back-yard stands an old apple tree; And I told my dad if he could find it in his heart to forgive me just have a white flag in that old tree and I'd get off.