During a sermon last Sunday,our priest shared some interesting information about the symbols and traditions during Christmas- like the Christmas tree, the socks, Santa Claus, the gift giving, the kiss under the mistletoe and the candy cane. The latter amused me so much because I've never thought of googling the meaning of it or what candy cane symbolizes.

If you look at the candy cane like this it definitely looks like the letter J. Jesus starts with the letter J, so that should remind us of Jesus and help us to remember that Christmas is Jesus' birthday.

If you look at the candy cane like thisit looks like a shepherd's crook. In about 1670 the choirmaster in Cologne Cathedral had sticks of candy bent into the shape of a shepherd’s crook and passed them out to children who attended the ceremonies.

A shepherd uses his crook to keep the sheep from wandering away from the flock and getting lost or eaten by a wild animal. The Bible says, "The Lord is my shepherd." The candy cane should remind us that Jesus is our shepherd and he will keep us from wandering away and getting lost or hurt.

The color white in a candy cane symbolizes purity. It should remind us that Jesus was the spotless Lamb of God and that because he came to be the sacrifice for our sin, we can become as white as snow. The flavor of peppermint is similar to another member of the mint family, hyssop. In the Old Testament hyssop was used for purification and sacrifice, and this is said to also symbolize the purity of Jesus and the sacrifice he made.

The candy cane should also have three red stripes. The Bible tells us that before he was crucified, Jesus was beaten with a whip which made blood-red stripes across his back. The Bible says that we are healed by those stripes. (He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his stripes you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 ) The stripes on the candy cane should remind us that Jesus suffered and died, so that we can have an everlasting life.

Over the skies of Bethlehem appeared a star
While angels sang to lowly shepherds
Three Wisemen seeking truth they traveled from afar
Hoping to find the child from heaven
Falling on their knees they bow before the humble Prince of Peace

The sun cannot compare to the glory of your love
There is no shadow in your presence
No mortal man would dare to stand before your throne
Before the Holy One of heaven
It's only by Your blood
It's only through Your mercy
Lord, I come

We bring an offering of worship to our King
No one on earth deserves the praises that we sing
Jesus may you receive the honor that you're due
O Lord I bring an offering to you

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ALSO!!!!
December 24

Happy Birthday Phillip!

He's one of my answered prayers. =)
I love you bro!

Last month, I had a very crazy schedule, I worked for 24 hours every other day and I also went to school in between. It was crazy crazy crazy; I don't know how I managed to stay awake during my classes. But even though I became really exhausted, I felt the happiest during those days because I was able to provide care and share my love to somebody. However, a month after my full-time elder/patient's 100th birthday her body gave up from infection which caused her death. I was out of job after that because I just couldn't take the schedule of the other aids.

So my life is back to slow-mo...and now I realized that I don't know how to pray anymore. I just couldn't pray and be still because my mind wanders instantly once I sit. For days, aside from reading the daily devotionals, I've read the previous entries from Our Daily Bread to seek for answers, to find something to ignite the fire within me, to help me rescue my passion or just to help me figure out what's wrong.

Today, December 12, is the birthday of my mom and we just had a gathering with some friends. I think we are all tired, I am tired. However, I don't know I just logged in to check some videos on Youtube and I was led to this:

Bring me to the highest mountains
Bring me to the widest plains
Fly me to the skies above
I'd still call out Your name

Bring me to the deepest waters
Drive me through the longest roads
Take me away from these shadows
I'd still call out Your name
I'll stand firm and pray

Cause I don't wanna go somewhere else
I wanna run towards You
I don't wanna look away
Cause my eyes are fixed on You
I don't wanna live for someone else
Cause You gave a brand new start
And these feet will keep on going
I'm after Your heart

Bring me to Your love's chambers
Bring me in Your midst
bring me to the palm of your hands

Sail me towards the rising sun
Sail me through the rivers run
Spread my wings wide
And I'll still call out Your Name
I'd stand firm and pray

Nothing else can satisfy, I'm after Your heart
To You alone, I give my life, I'm after Your heart
Cause no matter where I go
No matter what I do
these feet were made to run after You
Only You