The Christmas Orange.

When my children were young, one of our Christmas traditions was to visit family and friends during the holiday season.  We picked a night in December, prepared a basket of treats, and headed out into the snow covered streets to celebrate the spirit of Christmas.  

We always brought along a messages to share and one of our favorite short stories was “The Christmas Orange”.  This tender story reveals the innocent hearts of little children and their desire to create the true meaning of Christmas.  

The origin of this story is unknown and although, there are several interpretations, after 50 years, the message still rings true.  This is my version of this classic story. 

                                                

The Christmas Orange.

Jake lived in an orphanage with nine other boys his entire life.  During the wintertime any extra money went for coal to heat the old buildings.  Times were tough, but throughout the holiday season the buildings always seemed a little warmer and the food more plentiful.   

With Christmas approaching, excitement filled the orphanage.  The boys were anticipating a special gift and a treasure that was greatly desired.

On Christmas morning each child received an orange.  It was the only time of the year such a rare treat was provided and it was coveted like no other thing that they possession.  Each boy would save his orange for several days and admire the special gift.  It would be savored until the moment it would be eaten.  

Some would keep their orange until New Year's Day or later, much like many of us admire our Christmas tree and decorations until after the New Year to remind us of the joy of Christmas.

This particular Christmas Day, Jake had broken an orphanage rule by pushing one of the other boys.  The orphanage mother immediately took away Jake's orange and he was sent to his room as punishment for his actions. 

Jake spent Christmas Day empty and alone.  Nighttime came and he could not sleep.  Silently he sobbed thinking that this year he would not have an orange to cherish with the other boys.  

A soft hand placed on Jake’s shoulder had startled him and an object was quickly shoved into his hands.  Then the child disappeared into the dark and leaving Jake alone to discover a strange looking orange resting in the palms of his hands.  It was an orange made from the segments of nine other oranges and ever so carefully placed back into the orange peel.  There were nine highly prized oranges that had to be eaten that Christmas night, instead of admired and cherished until a later date.

Jake held in his little hands the true meaning of Christmas, the ultimate gift - a touch of human kindness.  It wasn’t delivered in a fancy package or tied with a bow, for it came in the quiet hours of the night and expecting nothing in return.  This simple little gift was given with the genuine love and intent to mend the heart of a wounded child, with a silent whisper that others care.  Revised by Linda Sumner Urza, One fine day.

Food For Thought.

The happiest people in life don't necessarily have the best of everything, but they make the most of everything they have.

It will take a lifetime to become the person you deserve to be.

Sometimes education doesn't always lead to intelligence.

You can do something hastily in an instant that will bring on a lifetime of heartache.

Always leave with kind words, it may be the last time you see that person.

Be kind to all those you pass on the way up the latter of success for they will be the very same people you will pass on your way down. 

Heros do what has to be done regardless of the consequences. 

Sometimes you have the right to be angry, but never the right to be mean or cruel.

Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something entirely different. 

Your life can be changed in the twinkling of an eye by people who don't know you.

When you think you have nothing left to give, you have given up!

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. 

A soldier doesn't fight because he hates what's in front of him, he fights because he loves what's behind him. 

To error is human, to forgive is divine.

Sometimes the answer to a prayer is not that it changes life, but that it changes you. 

The only human institution that rejects progress is the cemetery.

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

What matters is not the idea a person holds, but the depth at which he believes it.  

Seeing is not believing; believing is seeing!  You see things, not as they are, but as you are.

Do what you want to do as if you knew you couldn't fail!

If you want to be remembered borrow some money, it you want to be forgotten lend some!

The mind's job is to validate what it thinks.

You are only one thought away from happiness.

If the only prayer you ever had was in your heart, that would suffice. 

Thanks For Giving.

Somewhere, there is a single mother standing in a checkout line at the grocery store.  There are three small children by her side, a crying baby in her arms and she's struggling for much more than the small change at the bottom of her purse.  Everyday is a new challenge for her and she believes if she'd been just a little thinner, maybe her husband would have stayed...

Somewhere, there is a man at the side of the road and carrying all his belongings upon his back.  He doesn't want anything except a little human kindness.  He never meant to offend anyone by his appearance, he's just down on his luck and would like to believe that tomorrow will be a brighter day...   

Somewhere, there is another lost teenager wandering the streets.  The pain is etched upon her face.   She is the one with the colorful hair and all the piercing through her skin.  Her look is hard and cold, but it was placed there by fear and to hide the real truth!  She cries alone in her room at night where no one can see, and strives to cover up the years of abuse that nobody would believe.  She is waiting for someone to show her what love really means... 

Somewhere, there is a child that sits at the back of the classroom.   He is forced to hide a painful secret deep inside and threatened by the very hands of someone he once trusted.  While the other children taunt and tease him, he struggle to carry the burdens placed upon his innocent soul and sometimes it too heavy to bare....   

There may be times when the challenges in our lives seem overwhelming, but one doesn't have to look far to see the faces of those who endure the impossible every day of their lives.  We have witness the destruction of natural disasters and the tragedy of human loss, but it's more difficult to see the silent death taking place in the hearts of those less fortunate.  

This holiday season is a wonderful time to reflect upon our blessings and seize the opportunity to make a difference in the world.  We may never know the source of someone's burdens and I believe we are chosen to ease the pain and lighten the load of the weary.  It may only require a moment in time, a little spare change, or kind words of encouragement.  These random acts of love can make all the difference in the world to someone who is suffering.  

What would happen if everyone made a conscious effort to look for opportunities to serve mankind?  I believe that we would change in the twinkling of an eye.  We would provide hope for the helpless, rest for the weary and love for the broken hearted to begin the healing of a troubled world. by, Linda Sumner Urza, One Fine Dad