In celebration of the 119th anniversary of the ballet’s premiere in Russia and the 67th anniversary of its US premiere, Jean and I will begin what we hope to be a holiday tradition and take our granddaughter to see The Nutcracker this season.
We look forward to the ballet and music that will bring alive Ernst’s story: Our granddaughter is very earnest about her own dancing (the steps she learns at class along with her own freestyle steps, which can interpret a variety of musical styles). We are very earnest about establishing a family tradition that will allow us to share joy and time together (oh, yes, the importance of being earnest…).
There are many traditional stories of these season. Many have little to do with The Story — the birth of the Savior — other than they happen around Christmas. But in most Christmas-based stories there is something transformational, something unexpected, something wonderful that happens. Perhaps there is a connection to The Story, which invites us to expect the transformational, the unexpected and the wonderful.
It’s Advent. “E” is also for Expectations!
