The Origins of the Candy Cane, Christmas Cookies, and Decking the Halls

Candy canes have been around since the late 1670's and kids have enjoyed them ever since. Have you ever wondered where candy canes come from? It would be surprising to know that a German choir director became angry at his children's choir when they would not listen and could not stay still in their seat. Instead of yelling at his children's choir during the Christmas practice, he gave them curved candy that was called Sheppard's hooks. The kids immediately associated the candy with the canes found in the bible. The canes took off as a Christmas favorite and the stripes were added later on to give the candy canes a more appealing look.

Ever wonder where the term deck the halls come from? When you see the pinecones, greenery, and holly berry hanging from the mantle or the Christmas display table it is not just decorations. The plants and berries where a reminder of a symbol of faith. If you had greenery in your Christmas decorations in the ancient times it was a symbol of good wealth and prosperity. Eventually Christians started to believe that the symbols where symbols of Christianity. The wreath is a symbol of the crown of thorns on the head of the crucified Christ and the prickly leaves of the holly bush allowed missionaries to explain the pain the Christ felt on the cross.

If you are wondering why cookies adorn the Christmas table you might again be surprised at the origin of this tasty tradition. Again this goes back to the time of Christ. The baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem which is translated as the 'House of Bread.' Throughout the time Christ breaking bread with friends showed that there was love and sharing in the house. Breaking bread in communion symbolizes the body of Christ and how he can come into your life and heal both your body and your soul. In modern times the Christmas cookie has become a non-Christian tradition where most people have forgot its traditional roots as a symbol of Jesus. Now it is just a sugary treat that is left for Santa Claus with a glass of milk and a hope for presents in the morning.