Combine the brightness of peppermint with a meaningful way to tell the true story of Christmas and what do you have? A candy cane, of course! While the history of this iconic treat isn’t completely clear, the symbolism is still truly magical (especially for kids).
So what’s the story of the candy cane? I’m so glad you asked. Let’s look at a simple candy cane poem, dig into the meaning, and get creative with two different ways to share this story (including a free candy cane poem coloring page)!
Candy Cane Poem
A quick search for “candy cane poem” yields a variety of results. But this short and sweet version, by an unknown author, is my personal favorite. It rhymes and touches on the main elements of what you notice when you look at a candy cane. Perfect for young children and the young at heart.
Look at the candy cane what do you see?
Stripes that are red like the blood shed for me.
White for my Savior who’s sinless and pure.
“J” is for Jesus, my Lord that’s for sure.
Turn it around and a staff you will see.
Jesus my shepherd was born for me.
On its own, this poem is a sweet way to talk about Jesus at Christmas. But if you are looking for a way to dig a little deeper with your kids or students beyond the words in this poem, you absolutely can.
Meaning of The Candy Cane (With Scripture)
A traditional candy cane has red stripes, a white center, and a unique hook shape. Christmas is the perfect time to take a closer look at the meaning of this traditional symbol.
Red Stripes
Poem: Stripes that are red like the blood shed for me.
Meaning: The red stripes remind us Jesus bled on the cross. And like ours, his blood was red. And when he was beaten, his body had stripes. These wounds that caused him to bleed led to unbearable pain to the point they caused death. And Jesus took all this punishment upon himself willingly because he loves us.
Scripture: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
White Center
Poem: White for my Savior who’s sinless and pure.
Meaning: Jesus never sinned. Not once. He is the only human to live a perfect sinless life. Because of this he was able to be the spotless lamb, a perfect sacrifice.
Scripture: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
Shape
Poem: “J” is for Jesus, my Lord that’s for sure. Turn it around and a staff you will see. Jesus my shepherd was born for me.
Meaning: The candy cane has two shapes. Upside down it is a letter “J” for Jesus. Held upright it is a shepherd’s staff. This reminds us that Jesus is our good shepherd. We are his sheep and he loves us so much he died for our sins. At Christmas we celebrate Jesus being born the Savior of the world.
Scripture: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” John 10:11 (NIV)
How to Share the Candy Cane Story
Two easy ways to spread the story of the candy cane is by using it on a gift tag and a coloring page (yes, you’re almost to the freebie)! I’ve personally done both.
Gift Tag
If you like to give away candy canes during the Christmas season, take it up a notch this year by adding a cute candy cane story gift tag! Simply print these gift tags, punch a hole on the top, and tie onto a candy cane with ribbon. If you need something even faster, you can also staple a mini candy cane to the back of the tag.
Or, instead of using real candy canes, make them out of beads! (I’ve done this when I was a nanny and with my own kiddos. Soooo cute!) You just string beads onto a pipe cleaner, bend the ends in, curve into a cane shape, then attach it to a tag with ribbon to hang on a Christmas tree.
Coloring Page
This couldn’t be any simpler! Print my free candy cane story coloring page and color away. You could even:
- Hand out the coloring page with a candy cane to children at a Christmas party or Christmas Eve service
- Pair the coloring page with a reading of The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
- Use the verses above to teach a Sunday School lesson about Christmas
Let’s Savor the Candy Cane
Don’t you like how something as simple as a poem can change the way you look at a candy cane? Because a candy cane is so much more than a sweet treat. It’s a yearly opportunity to remember and share the story of the good news of Jesus.
Sharing the meaning of the candy cane doesn’t have to be complicated. You can give it away by adding it to a candy cane gift with a printable tag, coloring a coloring page printable, or even just by using your words – no printable needed!
The point isn’t to make or give something cute. The point is to focus our hearts and minds on Jesus, the true reason we celebrate CHRISTmas. (And if a printable happens to be involved…that’s totally ok!)
Want your CHRISTmas to be meaningful?
Here are some more Jesus-centered ideas.
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