[NFBF-Melbourne] THE MESSAGE OF THE CANDY CANE!

Fri Dec 13 22:14:22 UTC 2024

7The Message of the Candy Cane

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The candy cane is a beloved icon of the Christmas season. Many of us fondly
remember happily licking one of these sugary treats at Grandma's house, or
perhaps while watching a favorite Christmas movie. But candy canes are not
merely another tasty sweet; they carry a powerful message which is meant to
be shared with the world. It is a tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption; a
tale of One Who was so much more than a man, Who laid down His life to save
us from ourselves.

The crook symbolizes the shepherds to whom the glad tidings of Jesus' birth
were first delivered. An angel from God told them that the Savior of the
world had been born. These shepherds left their flocks and sought out the
baby Jesus. When they knew that the Son of God was indeed come, they
joyfully proclaimed the news everywhere, spreading the word about the
long-awaited Messiah.

The color white represents His purity. While He was on earth, Jesus lived a
perfect life. No sin was found in Him, from the moment He was born until his
ascension into Heaven. He performed many miracles and taught people to love
their enemies and pray for their persecutors. Jesus' life was one of
self-sacrifice and mercy, teaching people how to serve God, and healing the
sick.

The color red reminds us of the blood which Jesus shed when He was tortured
and killed. Scourged and mocked, He hung nailed to a cross and slowly bled
to death. As His life drained away, He prayed to His heavenly Father and
asked that His murderers be forgiven. After hours of suffering, Jesus cried
aloud and died.

Since the beginning of time, mankind has borne a terrible curse. We have
sinned time and again, insulting and rejecting the One who created us. One
day, every human being will stand before God, and He will judge us for the
sins we committed against Him. We have no alibi, and all the evidence is
against us. The jury has delivered the "guilty" verdict, and an eternity of
suffering awaits us in Hell.

There is, however, good news! You see, Jesus didn't stay buried in that
tomb. Death itself was unraveled, and He is alive again! Before the gavel
falls, Jesus can step in and pay our debt. If we believe on Him, repent of
our wrongdoings, and follow God, He will accept us as His own sons and
daughters. He wants us to live with Him in Heaven for all of eternity, but
we must be willing to let Him change our lives for the better. He has
promised that His Spirit will guide us and help us to do what is right. No
sin is too great for Him to forgive; no person is too broken for Him to fix.
Trust in Jesus, and your life will change for the better.

Never forget the message of the candy cane, and never forget the love that
God has for you! May you have a very merry Christmas and a truly blessed New
Year!

The Reason for the Season

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"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar
Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made
when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one
into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of
Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;
(because he was of the house and lineage of David:) [, to] be taxed with
Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

"And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that
she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and
wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there
was no room for them in the inn.

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping
watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon
them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore
afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you
good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is
born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And
this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes, lying in a manger.

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
good will toward men.

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven,
the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and
see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto
us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying
in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying
which was told them concerning this child." - Luke 2:1-17 (KJV)

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