Toledo man sees Christ, Virgin Mary in Christmas candy

TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) - It seems to happen every few months: someone sees an image of Christ -- in everything from French toast to a grilled-cheese sandwich.

Now just a few days before Christmas, a West Toledo semi-retired man thinks he's found the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus in a piece of hard holiday candy.

The piece of hard tack nearly gave James Burrows a heart attack. The 63-year old immediately saw the image of Christ in the Christmas candy, along with the Virgin Mary.

"I looked at it and it just struck me," Burrows said. "This time of year. for this to come up-- it was just kind of unusual, really: a great experience."

Burrows found the sweet scene while buying a container of candy at Fresh Market, where he also works part-time. He advised skeptics take another look at the Christ candy next to a more traditional image of the pair and let their imagination go.

So how sure is he of the resemblance?

"I'd say somewhere between 80- to 85-percent," he estimated. "I've showed it to several people even without the postage stamps to compare it to and they couldn't believe the similarity. It's uncanny."

So is Burrows worried about criticism from skeptics who don't see baby Jesus and the Virgin Mary the way he does?

"No, not at all, not at all. It's a piece of candy," he said with a grin. "If you see beauty in something, then you should enjoy it - and if you can't, you should move on."

The Vietnam vet isn't sure what to do with the Christ candy, but said he'll listen to offers. If Burrows does sell it, he wants to donate the proceeds to veteran's charities and his church.

After all, as Burrows points out, He is the reason for the season.