Jake lived in an orphanage with nine other boys. In the winter time it seemed that any extra money went for coal to heat the old building. At Christmas, the building always seemed a little warmer, and the food a little more plentiful, but more than this – Christmas meant an orange. At Christmas each child received 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 that they ever 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 theirs until New Year’s Day or later, much like many of us relish saving our Christmas trees and decorations 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 feeling empty and alone. Night time 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 shoulders startled him, and an object was quickly shoved into his hands. The child then disappeared in the dark to leave Jake alone. As he looked closely, Jake discovered that the object placed in his hands was a strange looking orange – nine highly prized oranges that had to be eaten that Christmas night, instead of saved, admired and cherished until a later date. Each boy in the orphanage had given just one orange section so that Jake could enjoy his Christmas.
This year, may the orange remind us all of the unselfish love taught to us by our Savior that we share with each other.
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 theirs until New Year’s Day or later, much like many of us relish saving our Christmas trees and decorations 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 feeling empty and alone. Night time 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 shoulders startled him, and an object was quickly shoved into his hands. The child then disappeared in the dark to leave Jake alone. As he looked closely, Jake discovered that the object placed in his hands was a strange looking orange – nine highly prized oranges that had to be eaten that Christmas night, instead of saved, admired and cherished until a later date. Each boy in the orphanage had given just one orange section so that Jake could enjoy his Christmas.
This year, may the orange remind us all of the unselfish love taught to us by our Savior that we share with each other.
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