The Gospel of Candyland

Once again this week I found myself in another "teachable moment" with my son.
One of his favourite games lately is the Milton Bradley boardgame he received for Christmas, the pre-school hit who's original players would now play it with their grandchildren: Candyland. I don't know much of its history, and the story-line as it is printed on current editions of the game's box liner make no mention of it, but it sure has some Christian allegory to it. Let me explain.
As I started out saying, I had a teachable moment with my son this week; while playing the game for the dozenth time, he asked me why the liquorice tripped us up and why it was there. (if you are not familiar with the game, more of its premise will become evident as this blog continues.)
He is very good at the game and excited by it ~ he can play it several times in one sitting without tiring, unlike his father.  I tried to answer him to the best of my ability and found something interesting developing in my explanation.  We move our players (represented by gingerbread men) along a brightly coloured trail on our way to the celestial city of Candyland.  Along the way there are various "sticky spots" where Lord Liquorice has left traps for us to slow us on our way, (resulting in a missed turn).  My nutshell explanation was this:

Candyland = heaven; the King is GOD; Lord Licorice represents Satan and, therefore, the liquorice he leaves around on the path is the tempting, candy-like trip-up on our way to Candyland like sin.  Lord Licorice was himself a resident of cnadyland at one point, but was put out when once he felt he should have a greater position in the Kingdom.  Failing to comply with the demands, he now hides out in the forest hating the King and anyone who seeks to visit him.  So, possessing still some remnant of his time in Candyland, he uses pseudo-candy to throw people off the trial and slow their arrival.

My son was tracking along nicely and I found a way to once again see the Truth of God around me in everyday things.  I believe he enjoys the game on a deeper level now and I was able to help ensure our families commitment to Deuteronomy 6. 7.