CANDY CANES FOR CHRIST - AND OTHER URBAN LEGENDS

CANDY CANES FOR CHRIST - AND OTHER URBAN LEGENDS

AGOURA, Calif. (Wireless Flash) – Have you heard the story that claims candy canes were created to symbolize Jesus Christ? The story – currently making the rounds via e-mail – claims an American candy maker created the canes to represent the “J” in Jesus, and added red stripes to symbolize Christ’s blood. But that’s impossible, according to researcher Barbara Mikkelson, who says candy canes were around long before America existed and were originally plain white sticks. That still hasn’t stopped some newspapers from reporting the story as true. Mikkelson – who runs the Snopes.com urban legends website – also pooh-poohs another widespread Christmas myth: The one about the dad dressed like Santa who got stuck in the fireplace and was roasted alive when his family built a fire. She says no one has ever unearthed a true account of “Santa roasting on an open fire.”

Wed 12-12-01