Jake lived in an orphanage with nine other young boys. Times were hard, especially in the wintertime when any extra money went for coal to heat the old buildings. At Christmas, each boy received a special gift. A sweet, juicy orange. It was the only time of the year such a rare treat was provided. How the boys looked forward to that orange! It was coveted like nothing else they ever received.

Each boy would save his orange for several days, admiring it, feeling it, smelling 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 and decorations until New Year's just to remind us of the joy of Christmas.

This particular Christmas Day, Jake had started a fight. As punishment for breaking the rules, the orphanage's mother told him that he would not be receiving his orange. Jake spent Christmas Day empty and alone. Nighttime came and Jake went to bed, but could not sleep. Silently, he sobbed into his pillow. This year he would not have an orange to savor like all the other boys.

Jake was startled when a small, soft hand was placed on his shoulder. As he sat up, he felt an object being quickly shoved into his hands. The child then disappeared into the dark. Jake looked down to find an odd-shaped gift crudely wrapped in a piece of cloth. To his amazement, he discovered a strange looking orange...an orange made from segments of nine other oranges...nine highly prized oranges that had to be eaten that Christmas night, instead of saved, admired and cherished until a later date. Welling up with tears of joy and thankfulness for all of his friends there at the orphanage, he sat back on his bed and enjoyed his orange, as he had never before.


At this wonderful Holiday time and always, may the orange remind us to love one another with our whole heart and take care of those less fortunate.