The Christmas Orange

Oranges always remind me of Christmas because of this story. It always helps to remind me what giving, kindness and sharing is all about. Hope you enjoy it to!

               Jake lived in an orphanage with nine other young boys.  In the winter time any extra money there was went for coal to heat the old buildings.  At Christmas, the building always seemed a little warmer, and the food a little more plentiful, but more than this- Christmas meant that each of the boys received an orange.  On Christmas morning each child was given an orange, and it was coveted like no other thing that they ever possessed.

Each boy would save his orange for several days, admiring it, feeling it, smelling it, loving it, and contemplating the moment he would eat it.  Some would even save it until New Year's Day or later, much like many of us relish saving our Christmas trees decorated until New Year's just to remind us of the joy of Christmas.

This particular Christmas day, Jake had broken the orphanage rules by starting a fight.  The orphanage mother took Jake's orange away as punishment for breaking the rules.  Jake spent Christmas day empty and alone.  Nighttime came and Jake could not sleep; silently, he sobbed because this year he would not have his orange to savor with the other boys.

               A soft hand placed on Jake's shoulder startled him and an object was quickly shoved into his hands.  The child then disappeared into the dark to leave Jake alone to discover a strange looking orange. This orange that he was left with was an orange made from segments of nine other oranges- nine highly prized oranges that now had to be eaten that Christmas night, instead of saved, admired, and cherished until a later date as all the children usually did.

The boys in the orphanage shared true love and kindness by giving up a piece of each of their oranges to make one complete orange for Jake. He was able to experience the joy of Christmas that year because of the love the boys gave to him.

               This year, may the orange remind us all of the unselfish love we share for each other that was taught to us by our Savior Jesus Christ. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!