Monday, December 19, 2016

Christmas Comes But Once A Year

                          

Context #1

Mother and Daughter are talking about her old toys

Melissa: Mommy, why are you wrapping those baby toys as Christmas presents? I’m much too big for those types of baby toys. I’m almost 8 years-old.
Mom: Well, Melissa, these presents are not for you. They are for needy families at Christmas who cannot afford to buy their babies toys and other Christmas presents.
Melissa: Really? Can I help you? I bet these toys will make those babies very happy!
Mom: Of course, you can help. Christmas comes but once a year, so we need to remember the less fortunate and do something to make their Christmas bright!


Context #2 

A children’s choir* is getting ready to sing in a hospital lobby

Choir Leader: OK, everyone, please stand together so that we can sing our first song, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Tabitha: I feel strange standing here in this hospital singing Christmas songs. Why are we here?
Samantha: And people might get mad at us for making noise!
Choir Leader: We are here in the hospital to cheer up the people who are not feeling well at Christmas time and cannot go home.
Tabitha: Oh, so they want to hear us?
Choir Leader: Of course! Christmas comes but once a year, so we should all do our best to be extra kind to people at Christmas. Your beautiful voices will cheer them up!

Explanation: The idea behind this saying is that since Christmas only happens once a year, we should treat it as a very special time by being extra good to others, especially children. Check out this 1936 cartoon with the title “Christmas Comes but Once a Year,” to see what “Professor Grampy” does to cheer up some sad orphans ** at Christmas. Click on the link below: Christmas Comes But Once a Year

*Choir: an organized group of singers (of all ages), typically one that takes part in church services or performs regularly in public.

**Orphan: Children who do not have a mother or father.


1 comment:

  1. Thanks a whole lot for sharing, dear Michelle ... You the best - second to none ... WE love you ... Can't wait for more idioms from you ... Keep up the good work ... Say hi to all the guys at LSI for us ... Merry Christmas!

    Your true fans from Moscow, Russia

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