As we begin the first week of Advent, I focus on the theme of hope. This may refer to light in the darkness and small acts that can bring us together, especially during this time of the year. Through my perspectives on the autism spectrum and storytelling, my focus for this week is Christmas idiom stories filled with warmth, joy, and the spirit of the season, showing how hope can shine through in unexpected ways.
Christmas Has Come Early:
A baker's unexpected success sparks joy and is a reminder to us that sometimes, fortune can arrive sooner than we expect.
Christmas Comes But Once a Year:
A parent teaching their child about the importance of giving to others during the season, emphasising how Christmas is a very special and brief period of the year, and to make the most of it.
Light Up Like a Christmas Tree:
A community comes together to help fix broken tree lights, bringing brightness, joy and hope to everyone's faces.
Bells Are Ringing:
When a young girl joins a carol choir, her journey inspires the meaning of joy and celebration to two onlookers.
Deck the Halls:
Neighbours go round to help decorate an elderly woman’s home, spreading warmth and kindness.
Let’s get stuck into these tales of kindness and community, idioms that I believe can capture the essence of Christmas.
Alex and Jordan are walking through the snow in a street in a small town. Along the way, they pass by the local bakery.
Alex: (stops suddenly) Well, Jordan! I must say, I haven’t seen a queue as long as that outside the bakery for a while.
Jordan: (glances over) Wow, you’re right! The baker must be delighted. It’s like Christmas has come early for them.
Alex: (frowning) But wait a moment, it’s not Christmas Day yet. It’s only the first week of Advent. How can Christmas come early? That doesn’t make sense.
Jordan: (smiling) It’s an idiom, Alex, one of many sayings. When we say, “Christmas has come early,” we mean something wonderful has happened unexpectedly, like an early gift.
Alex: Oh... so the long line of customers is like a gift for the baker?
Jordan: Exactly! And I've heard why it’s probably happening. Apparently, the baker found an old family recipe for some special gingerbread cookies and decided to try it again. And in quick time, everyone in town is talking about their amazing taste.
Alex: (looking at the line) So, I'm guessing all these people are here for the gingerbread?
Jordan: Most likely! Business has been slow for the baker lately, and now this recipe is bringing everyone back. It’s an incredible surprise—like getting a present before Christmas.
Alex: (nodding thoughtfully) So it’s not actually Christmas, but it feels like a special moment, like Christmas?
Jordan: That’s it! You’ve got it.
They both have a peep inside the bustling bakery for a moment. The baker in there waves happily to the line of customers.
Alex: I think the baker looks really happy. Maybe this will give them hope for the rest of the season, and into the New Year.
Jordan: There’s a good chance it will, I’m sure. And see? Now you can use the idiom too!
Alex: (smiling) Yes, and, I’ll try and remember it. “Christmas has come early.”
The two continue on their walk, chatting about other things they hope to see, and the presents they hope to receive come Christmas.
In a cosy living room, a mother, Rachel, is sitting on the floor, wrapping a brightly coloured gift. Her autistic child, Sam, enters the room and sits beside her, watching curiously.
Sam: (pointing at the present) Mum who’s that present for?
Rachel: (smiling) My office at work does this charity thing every year where we all pick a child’s name and buy them a present for Christmas.
Sam: Do you know them?
Rachel: No, I don’t know them. But that’s okay. It’s just about making their Christmas a little brighter.
Sam: (tilting head) So… why only at Christmas?
Rachel: Well, Christmas comes but once a year.
Sam: (frowning) But I don’t understand. Christmas is always on the calendar every year. Why are you saying it like that?
Rachel: Ah, I see why that might be confusing you. Let me explain.
(Rachel puts down the wrapping paper and sits back to talk.)
Rachel: When we say, “Christmas comes but once a year,” we mean that Christmas is a special time that only happens once every twelve months, in the month of December. It’s a way to remind ourselves to make the most of it while it’s here.
Sam: So, it’s about doing special things, like wrapping this present?
Rachel: That’s right! It’s about sharing kindness and making memories, because we don’t get Christmas every day.
Sam: (nodding slowly) Oh, so you’re helping this child because Christmas is a time to do something special?
Rachel: Exactly, Sam. It’s the one time of year when people try extra hard to spread joy and hope.
Sam: I think I’m beginning to understand it now. Can I help you to wrap the present?
Rachel: (beaming) Yes, of course you can! Here, you can hold the paper while I put tape around it.
The two continue wrapping the gift together, chatting about other ways to spread kindness during the holiday season.
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It’s a chilly Saturday evening in a town square. A small crowd is gathered near the community Christmas tree, excitedly waiting for the lights to be turned on. Two characters, Emma and Leo, are standing near the front of the crowd. Leo is on the autism spectrum.
Emma: (glancing at her watch) It’s almost time! Everyone’s excited to see the tree light up.
Leo: (nodding) I’ve been looking forward to this all week. I hope it looks nice.
(The mayor steps up to the podium and announces the countdown. The crowd joins in eagerly.)
Crowd: Three... two... one!
(The switch is flipped, but the tree stays dark. A murmur of disappointment spreads through the crowd.)
Leo: (frowning) It didn’t work. I wonder why aren’t the lights didn't come on?
Emma: Oh no. It looks like there’s some problem. That’s disappointing.
A local electrician, Mark, steps forward from the crowd, holding up a small toolbox.
Mark: I can take a look! I’m off duty, but I think I might be able to fix it.
Mark climbs up to the tree and carefully begins inspecting the wiring. The crowd watches on hopefully as time passes.
Leo: Do you think he will he be able to fix it?
Emma: I hope so. Everyone’s really looking forward to seeing the tree lit up.
Finally, Mark gives a thumbs-up and shouts to the mayor to flip the switch again. The tree suddenly bursts into light, shining in colourful brilliance. The crowd cheers and claps loudly.
Emma: (beaming) Look at everyone, Leo! Their faces lit up like Christmas trees!
Leo: (blinking) Their faces lit up like Christmas trees? That doesn’t make sense.
Emma: (laughing) It’s one of many sayings you hear in everyday conversations! It means they’re so happy that their faces are glowing with joy—just like how the tree is glowing now.
Leo: Oh… so “light up like a Christmas tree” means people look really happy?
Emma: Exactly! It’s like their excitement is shining from them.
Leo: (smiling) I think I get it. Everyone’s really hopeful again.
Emma: That’s right. The lights aren’t just for the tree—they bring us all together.
They both watch the scene, as people take pictures and gather around the tree, chatting and laughing together. The sense of disconnection in the crowd seems to fade.
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A small church preparing for its annual Christmas carol service. The choir is practicing inside, their voices blending harmoniously. Outside, two characters, Catherine and Liam, watch as a girl named Mia, shy but curious, enters the church.
Catherine: (nudging Liam) Look, Liam. There’s Mia. She’s been standing outside every day, listening to the choir.
Liam: Do you think she’ll join them?
Catherine: I hope so. I've heard her sing a number of times. She has such a beautiful voice.
Mia goes inside the church. There, she hesitantly approaches the choir director, Mrs. Harper, who greets her with a warm smile.
Mrs. Harper: Mia! It’s wonderful to see you. Would you like to join us for the carol practice?
Mia: (nervously) I'm not sure if I’m good enough...
Mrs. Harper: I hear you’ve been practicing on your own. I’ve even heard you humming along outside. Your voice is lovely, and it'll be wonderful to have you.
The choir members encourage her, and Mia finally agrees. She takes her place among the singers as they begin a rousing rendition of “Joy to the World.” Catherine and Liam go and peek in from the doorway, watching Mia sing with growing confidence.
Catherine: She’s smiling! Look at her, Liam.
Liam: Yes, and she seems to really fit in.
Catherine: Bells are ringing for her, that’s for sure.
Liam: Bells? What do you mean?
Catherine: It’s an expression. “Bells are ringing” can refer to something joyful happening, like good news or a happy moment.
Liam: Oh... so it’s like saying this is a really happy time for her?
Catherine: Exactly! Joining the choir is bringing her joy. Furthermore, it maybe even giving her hope for more wonderful things to come.
As the choir finishes their song, Mia looks over at Mrs. Harper, who nods approvingly. She beams with pride, her voice now blending effortlessly with the rest of the group. Catherine and Liam share smiles, happy to witness the moment.
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A snowy street in a small neighbourhood. Neighbours are gathered around an elderly woman’s house, helping to string put up lights, hang garlands and other decorations. Inside, the elderly woman, Mrs. Taylor, watches from the window, with a grateful look in her eyes. Two characters, Chloe and Ben, help decorate the tree in her living room. Ben is on the autism spectrum.
Ben: (placing an ornament on the tree) I like this one, Chloe. Look at it, and see how shiny it is.
Chloe: (smiling) That’s a great spot for it, Ben. The tree’s starting to look really festive.
Ben: Why are there so many people outside? They usually don’t come over here.
Chloe: Well, everyone wanted to help Mrs. Taylor. She’s been feeling lonely recently, so we decided to decorate her house to make it feel like Christmas.
Ben: Oh I see. That’s wonderful.
Chloe picks up a strand of tinsel and starts draping it across the tree.
Chloe: Let’s add some of this. We’re really decking the halls now!
Ben: (pausing) Decking the halls? What does that mean? Are we putting a deck in the halls?
Chloe: (laughing gently) No, not exactly. “Deck the halls” is an old phrase. It means decorating the house for Christmas.
Ben: Ah, so “decking” means decorating?
Chloe: That’s right. When we say “deck the halls,” we’re talking about making everything look festive—inside and out.
Ben: (thinking) So the lights and garlands outside, and the tree in here, that’s all decking the halls?
Chloe: Exactly! And it’s not just about decorations. It’s about bringing joy and hope, like we’re all doing for Mrs. Taylor here.
They both glance at Mrs. Taylor, who waves from her chair by the window, smiling as neighbours hang lights on her porch.
Ben: I think she’s really happy.
Chloe: She is. It's amazing how a little kindness and a few decorations can mean a lot to someone.
Ben: (smiling) I've enjoyed decking the halls. It’s been a good thing to do tonight.
Chloe: Me too, Ben. It really has.
They continue decorating the tree together as the sounds of neighbours laughing and chatting drift in from outside. At the same time the warmth of the moment filled the room.
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Part 1 - Go back to the start of the season with idioms like "A Breath of Fresh Air" and "Harvest Your Hard Work." These stories explore themes of growth and transformation through my autistic perspective.
Part 2 - Uncover the heart of autumn with idioms like "As Right as Rain" and "Turn Over a New Leaf." For me these tales highlight resilience, courage, creativity, and finding peace during life’s changes.
Part 3 - Celebrate autumn’s vibrant finale before winter with idioms like "A Blaze of Glory" and "Harvest the Fruits of Your Labour." A reflection on rewards, transitions, and fleeting beauty.
As the season of Advent continues to week 2, we move from hope to peace. Just as light shines in the darkness, peace brings calm to our hearts and our world. Join me for the next set of Christmas idiom stories, where I explore the meaning of peace through my autistic perspectives in part 2.
And, in week 3 we move from hope to peace. Just as light shines in the darkness, peace brings calm, and joy fills our hearts and our world. Join me for the next set of Christmas idiom stories, where I explore the meaning of hope, peace, and joy through my autistic perspectives in part 3.
Did you enjoy these stories in the weeks of Advent leading up to Christmas? Feel free to check out my festive edition.
And finally, think you can guess missing idioms? Join the fun quiz to test your holiday phrase knowledge! Take the quiz here
Now, I'd like to hear from you. Did you enjoy these stories?
Which stories resonated with you the most and why?
Do you have your own favourite Christmas idiom or memory linked to the season of Advent, and especially hope?
How do you keep the spirit of hope alive during this season of Advent and, at the time of the Christmas holidays?
Please feel free to share your thoughts and questions in the comments section below.
Lessons in Idioms: Heartwarming Christmas Stories Through my Autistic Lens
Understanding 5 Phrases like Turning Over a New Leaf
Rejoicing in Christmas Idioms: Stories of Joy and Celebration
A Blaze of Glory - 5 Idioms for Autistic Readers
Finding Peace in Christmas Idiom Stories Through Autistic Perspectives
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