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.
