The Candy Cane is more than an ornament for Christmas trees or a tasty treat to stir your hot chocolate; it contains the message of Jesus Christ. Not sure? Let me tell you the story of the candy cane.

First, the candy is shaped like a shepherd's rod. The Shepherd's rod forms the letter J. It reminds you that Jesus is your Good Shepherd. He is a Shepherd that walks with you in the valley and takes you to the mountain top.

The rod is the shape of a hook, because the Shepherd knows that we all are like sheep that go astray. No one is without sin, so when you go astray, the Lord does not leave you alone, but He reaches out to you and, with the hook, pulls you back to Himself. He is not willing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Second, it is a hard candy that reminds you of a rock. Jesus is the rock of your salvation.

A large rock is immovable. The world is constantly changing, especially, the evolving understanding of morality. Yet, while the world keeps changing, often not always for the good, God remains the same. Right and wrong never changes. God is never politically correct; He tells the truth whether you like it or not.

Also, when you feel everything seems like sinking-sand, then you can turn to God who is a Rock that you can always trust. He won't let you sink.

Third, it is a stick of pure, white candy. The color symbolizes Christ' purity. He alone is without sin and can be the only Savior of the human race.

This is why Jesus had to be born of the Virgin Mary. He had to come into the world without the taint of sin. Plus, He had to be tempted, yet be without sin. He conquered sin!

Fourth, the original candy cane has red stripes. The red speaks of the blood of Christ.

Jesus did not come only to be born, but He came to die for the world's sins. This is why Christian churches have traditionally put up crosses on their buildings. The cross is God's masterpiece. It is His master plan to save humanity. We believe that Jesus is the lamb of God who was slain in order to take away the sin of the world.

The candy has one big stripe, but three smaller stripes. The three stripes reminds you that God is One, yet, is revealed in Three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The three smaller stripes also reminds you of the smaller blessings of redemption: supernatural power, health and prosperity. Jesus not only took away your sins--the big stripe--but He provides you with other blessings because of His death. Peter wrote, "By His stripes, we are healed" (1 Peter 2:24). Whatever sickness you have suffered with whether it be spiritual, emotional or physical, Jesus came to heal you.

Finally, no one eats candy unless it taste good. It is sweet to remind you that Jesus is sweet if you will only "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8).

When Moses led the Israelites through the desert, they came upon a pool of water that was bitter. God showed Moses a tree, and he threw it into the water and the water became sweet. That tree was the tree of Calvary where Jesus died.

If your life seems bitter, remember that Jesus died a bitter death so you can have a sweet life. Turn to Him during this Christmas season and let Him turn your life sweet!