Christmas Oranges

Jake lived in and orphanage with nine other boys. In the wintertime it seemed that any extra money went for coal to heat the old buildings. At Christmas, the buildings always seemed a little warmer and food a little more plentiful. But more that this, Christmas meant an orange. It was the only time of the year such a rare treat was provided, and it was coveted by each boy, like no other thing they possessed.

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

This particular 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 with the other boys.

A soft hand placed on Jake’s shoulder startled him and an object was quickly shoved in Jake’s hand. The child then disappeared into the dark to leave Jake alone to discover a strange looking orange. An orange made from the segment of nine other oranges…nine highly prized oranges that the boys would have had to break open that Christmas night, instead of saved, admired, and cherished until a later date.

At this Christmas time, may oranges remind us all of the unselfish love of nine orphaned boys. Unselfish love taught to us by our Savior, whose birth we celebrate

Author Unknown

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