SPECIAL MESSAGES!!
 
* BEST WISHES TO ALL THE STUDENTS WHOSE
EXAM RESULTS WILL BE OUT SOON.... GOOD LUCK!
 
* HELLO TO GREAT NANNA BAGGS UP AT ALDGATE!!
 
DIARY DATES!!

              December 20th:                  Christmas Party! at Nita & Harold’s place, 2 PM, BYO.
              February 26th:                    Your Autumn Babble News is due!
              Late February??                 Family Camp..... somewhere!

 THE STORY OF THE CANDY CANE
There were once two villages in a far-off land... one in a valley and one on a mountain top.  The people in the valley were having a difficult time but those in the mountain village were doing well.  The folks on the mountain top wanted to give each person in the valley a gift of love at CHRISTMAS.  So, a committee was formed of townspeople to see if someone could think of something special.  Each gift had to be of equal value to each person.  After much time, discussion, and consideration, a decision was finally made.  An elderly gentleman, who had loved Jesus for many years and was well respected, came up with the idea of the candy cane.  Now you are thinking, what is so special about a candy cane, and how can it be tied with Christmas.  Here is how and why:
 
* The candy cane is in the shape of a shepherd’s staff.  Jesus is our shepherd and  we are his flock.  A sheep follows his own shepherd, knows his voice, trusts  him and knows he is totally safe with him.  A sheep will follow no other shepherd but his own.  This is how we are to be with Jesus if we truly follow  Him.  (John 10:11, Psalm 23:1, Isaiah 40:11)
 
* Upside down, the candy cane is a “J” the first letter of Jesus’ name. (Luke 1:31)
 
* The wide red stripe represents the blood He shed on the cross for each one of us so we  can  have eternal life through Him.  He redeems us and cleanses us with His shed blood which  is the only thing that can wash our sins away.  (Luke 22:20)
 
* The white stripe represents the sinlessness and purity of our Lord.  He is the only human being  who ever lived on this earth who never committed one single sin.  Even though He was  tempted just as we are, He never sinned.  (1 Peter 2:24)
 
* The narrow red stripe represents that by His stripes or wounds, we are healed. Before the  crucifixion, Jesus was beaten, the crown of thorns was placed on His head. His back was raw  from the whip. We are healed by those wounds. He bore our sorrows and by His stripes we are  healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
 
* The flavouring in the candy cane is peppermint, similar to Hyssop which is of the mint family  and was used in the Old Testament for purification and sacrifice.  (John 19:29)
 
* When we break our candy cane, it reminds us that Jesus’ body was broken for us.  When we  have communion, this is our reminder of what He did for us.  (1 Corinthians 11:24)
 
* If we share our candy cane, and give some to someone else in love, it represents that same love  of Jesus because he is to be shared with one another in love.
 
This little story brings our Lord Jesus Christ through a candy cane, which is part of Christmas to many people.
It is with hope that each time you see a candy cane, you will think of Him,
and it will have an even more important meaning to you.
(from St Morris Uniting Church newsletter)