The Candy Cane Story As Told By A Rebel

The story is titled: Making Candy Canes

Just a disclaimer, this post is based on the Story of The Candy Cane and its meaning, which is Christian based. No offense intended. Whether you are a religious person or not, be it Christian or other, I hope that you can still appreciate the work. There is also a bonus surprise for anyone to enjoy at the end. This is based on stories you can find online, but I have told it in my own way, with some fresh ideas on how I could imagine the story going. Purely fictional but for entertainment purposes. If you know of a story you would like to challenge me with putting my own twist on, leave a comment. I’ll pick one and give it a shot. So, please enjoy, and may you always be blessed with health and love.

–Rebel

PS. I made this wreath with my own hands, using items purchased at a dollar store. Total cost was $5.

Making Candy Canes

‘Twas a long time ago, longer now than it seems. In a place that perhaps you have seen in your dreams. For the story you’re about to be told, began with the holiday worlds of old…

—Tim Burton’s, The Nightmare Before Christmas

…

Once upon a time, long before X-mas took out Christ, there lived a Candy Maker who loved God very much. It just so happened that this candy maker was tasked with creating something incredibly special; a small but sweet, and inexpensive gift that anyone could present to their loved ones on Christmas morning. So, the Candy Maker came up with an idea, to create a candy that represented what Christmas was truly about…Christ. Thus, the Candy Cane was born. But, that is, exactly, what our story tells. This is where our story begins…

Just 2 months before Christmas and all the town, looked to this man, his name now unknown, to make a special treat for everyone. This man was old and often tired so, but he had something special in his heart…God. After being tasked with making a treat for Christmas, he started, one night, by choosing the flavor and decided it should taste of hyssop. Little fact is that hyssop comes from the mint family and is remarkably similar to peppermint; thus, to mimic the flavor of hyssop, that is exactly what he used, peppermint. Why Hyssop? Hyssop was used for purification and sacrifice in the times of the Old Testament, which is what we strive for in life, that we may earn a place in heaven. The rest did not come easy. He just had to get everything right.

Over the course of weeks, his idea grew. “It should be made of hard candy, because Christ is our rock,” he thought, “…and, it should be red and white, to represent God’s purity and sacrifice.” This made him think of the immense love God has for us, that he would send his only son to suffer and die for us, that we may be forgiven for our sins and find ourselves in the kingdom of heaven. That is when he came up with the idea to shape the candy into a J, which was perfect. Not only did the J represent Jesus by name, but if one turned it around, they would find the symbol of the Shepherd, the staff. This represents Christ as our Shepherd, leading us home and watching over us (that we do not wander and become lost). It also tells us that we are his sheep, and together, his flock (that we may follow Christ as we were meant to).

As he began to draw up the design for this candy that would make history, he felt that representing the sacrifice of blood with red, just wasn’t enough. “Something is not right.” Thought the Candy Maker. “Only a few weeks ‘til Christmas and I haven’t made the perfect candy gift.” At that time, the man had but a candy cane draped in white, and dipped partially in red. Another week passed and he could not perfect his design. With only 2 weeks to Christmas, and still needing time to make hundreds of these treats, he decided he needed help. Before bed that night, he asked God for guidance. He prayed that his design would take shape as God willed it. God answered him in a dream.

Darkness. A white light, so bright and true, filled the surrounding space. From the distance, a baby comes into focus, a baby in a bed of straw, with a laughter that radiated peace and warmth. Suddenly, a violent wave of blood swirled around the baby and consumed him. When the blood cleared, only a man stood. A man with a thorn crown, nails through his hands and feet, and marks from lashes and thorns all over him. With tears in his face and dripping of red, he smiled and said, “Let these scars show you the way.”

It was still dark when the Candy Maker awoke from this dream. Nevertheless, he began to draw a new design. One with swirls and stripes. Thick ones, to represent the blood that Jesus Christ shed on the cross for our sins (that we may be forgiven for ours). Thin ones, to represent the suffering he went through before being nailed to the cross. They were to look like lashes and lacerations, the scars left behind when Jesus was arrested and tortured. Now, the candy could remind us of all of the sacrifices God and his son made to ensure our souls could live an eternity in heaven (that we may always know the love God has for us).

The next two weeks were spent working long and hard to make enough Candy Canes for everyone in town. The finishing touch, to wrap them in a clear wrapper, so that everyone could see the true reason for Christmas when a Candy Cane is presented. The rest is history, but it doesn’t end there. For, you see, every time a Candy Cane is shared, so is the meaning of Christmas, the story of Christ, and the love of God and Jesus. Is it a wonder that love takes two and when one brings two Candy Canes together, they form a heart? That’s, also, because when two people exchange Candy Canes, they are exchanging their love for each and sharing a piece of their heart.

And they shared happily ever after…with no end!

Additional treat: When Candy Canes are crossed, as in the picture above, it looks like two people leaned over hugging. So, if you can’t be with your loved ones this Quarantined Holiday Season, consider sending them a Candy Cane and tell them it represents love, a hug from afar, and a piece of your heart…because sweets are treats for everyone, and you don’t have to be religious to enjoy them. Thanks for reading to the end.

Just An Ordinary Word

Omelet Tostada

This is one of my creations in the kitchen. Mix eggs with seasonings and herbs of your choice. Cook 1/2 inch thick and round the size of a small skillet. Do not flip. Instead, cover with lid or foil to cook both sides. Instead of cooking your added ingredients into the egg, place fresh and uncooked ingredients over egg. Tomatoes, peppers, cheese, etc. If you would like melted cheese, place cheese over cooked omelet, as soon as the omelet is done, and let sit while covered for a while, before removing egg from skillet (stove/heat off). For meat toppings, cook meat separately from eggs and add with toppings. Top off with ketchup or hot sauce (optional). Enjoy!

I am not a person seeking fans. I do not write for others. I do not share for likes. This is not even about expression. When I take pictures or write something down, I do it for myself. I enjoy the time I spend creating. That time when boredom hides and emotions create. That time when thoughts turn into something more, and when burdens flee my side. This is my time. I cherish time. Time is the most valuable thing life has to offer, just as life is the most valuable thing this Universe offers. So, why bother to post at all? Why share my creations with anyone, when they were not meant to be seen, when created? Well, my deer audience, the answer is simple…

Once upon a time, I kept my creations all to myself. From poetry, to drawings, photography, and more. Projects made by hand and gifted to a select few, that is what started it all. People wanted me to share these things, that they found good. Although, aware of the term “good” being perspective, I thought to myself, “why not?”. Thus, little by little, I began to share. First, my photography. Then, my crafts. Now, my words. Perhaps, one day, I shall share more of my thoughts and creations, more of my ideas and inventions, and more of me. For now, I am but a single person, not seeking fame nor fortune.

I do not write for others; I do not share for likes. However, this does not mean I do not value my audience. I cherish time, yours as much as mine. You could have read something else. You could have stopped reading by now. Yet, you are still reading this verse. Thank you for staying. Thank you for your time. It is a blessing to have had your time and attention for this long. I hope I have not disappointed; I hope I do not disappoint. For your time, I offer this:

The wisdom of Heaven is love, the wisdom of Hell is happiness on Earth, and the wisdom of Earth is balance. For one to be wise, one must care to know more, learn from everything, and go through Heaven and Hell. The result is to be grounded on Earth, that is your peace and balance–that is your wisdom.

The Travellothoner

**Passing through Canada, 2008**

*I wrote this in honor of my favorite blogger. In it, I reference a lot of his poems by title or I by quoting his work.* If you enjoy my poems, I am sure you will enjoy his, I know I do. Give him a follow at thetravellothoner.wordpress.com to read about his travels, health, fitness, and poems.

Because you speak to me, I’ll speak to you.

I am the ‘Girl Who Thinks She’s Not Good Enough’.

You are right…’Failure’ doesn’t change me. And, “What’s done is done”, but it is so hard to move on.

I don’t like to abandon a soul, for I am the ‘Pure Heart’ you speak of.

I, too, “treasure friendship”, and your words have helped me so.

I am far from “normal”, but a “fighter”. “Fractured and hurt” as you describe.

Pass me a “shovel”, let me “dig inside” all of my “rubble”. Stubborn and all, I am ‘She’.

“You are my go-to” blogger, for ‘Eternity & Beyond’. Your writing is “perfect for me”.

I can sit here all day, referencing your words. “I hope this doesn’t seem too creepy”.

As I, too, have ‘The Wish’, it’s as the words were read from my mind…even down to the “hugs and kisses” ‘The New Year’ brought.

I may just be your ‘Kind Of Woman’. That is how oddly coincidental you speak to me.

In a funny way, you may be my ‘New Friend’. Even if I am not into fitness, with our poems we can relate.

This “little bird, learning to take flight” is also a ‘Grateful’ flower.

And, as I am ‘Sun Bound’, these words might be worth ‘The Wait’, like ‘A Drop Of Life’ in ‘The Rain’.

So, tell this ‘Unsung Hero’ ‘A Story’, whether ‘It Pains Me’ or not. For, I wish to keep seeing your ‘Many Masks’.

I cannot wait to continue to travel with you, this journey of words online. I am forever your fan.

“I can assure you that I am being sincere, when I say that I’ll always be near.” Ready to read whatever comes next…so, type on my friend!