Day 56 - The Jelly Babies Gospel

As you start to delve into a bag of Jelly Babies, have you ever stopped to think about the history and meaning of this confectionery delight. I certainly hadn’t until I heard of a local church doing a Jelly Baby service – I was immediately intrigued and decided to Google it and find out more.

Here is a bit of info that I found out.

• It looks as if Jelly Babies can be traced back to the 1880s.

• Historians believe that the earliest Jelly Baby was the work of an Austrian confectioner made by Thomas Fryers of Lancashire.

• It is thought that in 1864 he was asked to make a mould for jelly bears, but the resulting sweets looked more like newborn infants and were subsequently given the name, ‘Unclaimed Babies’. This was a part of life back then - people would leave unwanted babies on church steps or other places for people to find and care for.

• Jelly Babies were also known as ‘Peace Babies’ coming out after the end of WWI. By the time Bassett's started to produce them in 1918 they were widely known as Jelly Babies.

The "Jelly Baby Gospel" uses the different colours and shapes of Jelly Babies to tell a Christian message.

To actually see the symbols and faces you first need to lick off the floury stuff on them which stops them from sticking together in the packet.

The Symbols:

• Black Jelly Baby: this Jelly Baby has a heart on its chest, and represents the darkness of the human heart and sin.

• Green Jelly Baby: a crying face Illustrates human misery, or sorrow

• Red Jelly Baby: Features a "B" on its chest, symbolizing the blood sacrifice of Jesus.

• Pink Jelly Baby: This Jelly Baby actually is a baby and represents the need for being "born again".

• Yellow Jelly Baby: Has a necklace, illustrating the riches and treasures of the Christian life.

• Orange Jelly Baby: Carries a bag, symbolizing the need to be prepared for the Christian walk.

The Jelly Baby Gospel teaches about Jesus who defeated sin and death, offering forgiveness and eternal life to those who trust in Him.

Wow, isn’t all that fascinating – I had no idea that Jelly Babies had this meaning behind them, however you won’t find this on the Haribo version of these sweets – just on the Maynards/Bassetts ones!

Why not use this outline at a future service in your church – I know of one Minister who has already shared this as part of the Easter Message! And sharing sweets is always a good idea.

Linda Cooke