The Candy Cane Story A candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would remind people of the true meaning of Christmas; so he made the candy cane to incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church, and the firmness of the promises of God. The candymaker then shaped his cane into the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to the earth as Savior. It could also represent the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which He reaches down to to reclaim the fallen lambs who, like sheep, have gone astray. Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candymaker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about [ d ] : His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet [ e ] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, [ f ] because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” [ g ] (which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him

References: 2 Corinthians 6:2-10 John 3:17 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Luke 19 Acts 13, 14, 17 2 Corinthians 5 The Story of the Woman at the Well John 4:7-26 Good News Translation (GNT)  "A Samaritan woman came to draw some water, and Jesus said to her, Give me a drink of water. (His disciples had gone into town to buy food.)  The woman answered,  You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan—so how can you ask me for a drink? (Jews will not use the same cups and bowls that Samaritans use.)   Jesus answered, If you only knew what God gives and who it is that is asking you for a drink, you would ask him, and he would give you life-giving water.  Sir, the woman said, you don't have a bucket, and the well is deep. Where would you get that life-giving water?  It was our ancestor Jacob who gave us this well; he and his children and his flocks all drank from it. You don't claim to be greater than Jacob, do you?  Jesus answered, Those who drink this water will get thirsty again,but

Don't forget the Atherton Tablelands Carols by Candlelight Event being held this Saturday 3rd December at 7 pm.  Pre-entertainment begins at 6.30 pm.  Come along and sing your favourite carols, say Hi to the 92.3FM Community Radio Broadcast team and enjoy a great family night out. We're looking forward to seeing you there! Where:  Atherton Showgrounds

Zephaniah 3:17 New International Version (NIV) 17 The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.