I love all things Christmassy. I am like a small child that needs the toilet when I see bright lights, tinsel and baubles (as long as its not October of course, when I want to find the nearest air rifle… and the nearest person capable of using one…)

I have always loved the look of the red and white striped candy canes at this time of year. It was only recently that I realised that they are representative of a shepherds’ crook.

As I looked into this some more and thought about the whole meaning of Christmas, I focussed again on my own Christmas tree. On it are decorations, each with significance.

There is a male angel (NOT an airy fairy)
There is a set of figures: Mary, Joseph and the Wise men
There are many hearts
There are stars (some with the word Noel written in them)
There are lights.

There are also those little candy canes in the shape of shepherd’s staffs. The crook on the staff is to help to bring back those sheep who have strayed from the flock.

To me, the candy cane is now not just the symbol that God is our Shepherd but that we are also our brother’s keeper.

So as my children play with candy canes today I am praying that our family will be used in these days to bring back the strays and those who are lost.

May this be a season of coming home in more ways than one…