An Orange for Christmas

 

Like so many other pastors, my sermon was focus on the theme of the third Sunday of Advent; Joy. As I prepared to begin my sermon a strange thought came to my mind. It was really a simple thought. It was the thought of an orange. Yes, I said an orange. What does an orange have to do with Advent or joy? I guess it was the thought of simplicity.

As a young boy I thought oranges and apples were a luxury that was something that you mostly got on Christmas morning. I can't really remember having them any other time. I'm sure there were times when we may have had them, maybe on occasion at school. In those days you didn't pick what you wanted on your tray. You just went down the line and the lunch ladies would put on your tray whatever was on the line that day. Maybe a friend had them in their homes and I may have been offered one, but the only time I remember having an orange is on Christmas morning right there by the Christmas tree along with whatever else Santa brought us during the night. Man they were so good! Even now when I eat an orange, it's like tasting Christmas.

Over the many Christmas' that I've been a part of, I'm sure I got some nice gifts. But I can't really remember any gifts that stands out now, more than those oranges. So maybe it really is the simple things in life that brings us the most joy. It's the simple things that last forever in our minds and in our hearts.

I can't think of a simpler thing than a manger that brought this world the most joy.