“Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All!” (By: Michele Babcock-Nice)

Nativity Scene at Maranatha Baptist Church, Lilburn, Georgia, December 2012

Christmas and our celebration of Jesus’ birth is upon us once more as we close out yet another great year!  There is always so much for which to be thankful, particularly the coming of Jesus, and his love for us that is so great and boundless that he suffered and died for us to save us from our own sinfulness.  Though we will always be human – and have all of the mistakes, unworthiness, and errors that come with it – we must always do our best to be more like Jesus.  We must act in ways that are forgiving, understanding, sensitive, compassionate, and giving to others and each other.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from us. St. John Neumann Church Nativity Scene, Christmas 2012, Lilburn, Georgia

While most people throughout the world are Christians, celebrating Christmas and recognizing Jesus as our wonderful savior, there are many who celebrate other religious events and holidays.  For them, I also wish a wonderful religious celebration and/or holiday. 

My Son Standing Next to the Nativity Scene at St. Oliver Plunkett Church, Feast of the Epiphany, Snellville, Georgia, January 2013

So, as I have been blogging on WordPress, now, for the past one year, I would like to take this opportunity to say, “Happy Birthday, Jesus!”, and reflect with this posting that I am a thankful lover of Jesus.  Though my words and actions as a Roman Catholic and Christian will always pale miserably and indescribably in comparison to our Savior, I always try to do my best to have my words and actions reflect His love.

Nativity Scene at St. John Neumann School, Lilburn, Georgia, December 2012

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!  May love, blessings, peace, prosperity, good health, and happiness be enjoyed by everyone!

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“Enjoy a Performance of ‘The Nutcracker!'” (By: Michele Babcock-Nice)

Decorative Wooden Nutcracker

Yesterday afternoon, I treated my family to a wonderful holiday performance of The Nutcracker!  The performance was given by the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center in Duluth, Georgia.  My son, ex-husband, and me enjoyed a beautiful, lively, creative, colorful, and musical ballet experience!  It is also our second time viewing any performance at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center, the first being a dance recital in which my son performed with his dance school about three years ago.

Two years ago, I also took my son and my parents to enjoy a performance of The Nutcracker at the Fox Theater in Atlanta.  I must say that, although the Fox Theater is more historic and majestic, and the dancers in the Atlanta Ballet are more experienced, the performance that we saw yesterday of the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre performers was heart-warming and beautiful!

There was so much in the performance that was outstanding!  I absolutely loved the performances of the Little Baby Mouse and Baby Mice – the adorable children dancers; Clara; Fritz; Herr Drosselmeyer; the Nutcracker; the Soldiers; the Ice Princesses and Snow Queen; Angels; Dew Drop Fairy; Sugar Plum Fairy; Spanish Dancers; Chinese Dancers; Russian Dancers; Arabian Dancers; and Polichinelles along with Mother Ginger.  Of course, all of the dancers were amazing; and the costumes and sets were stunning and breath-takingly beautiful, as well!

Music played by the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Orchestra was exceptional and inspiring.  It was a wonderful teaching moment for me to reinforce the importance and appreciation of music and musical instruments to my son, in addition to the beauty of the ballet.  We especially liked the violinists, harpist, clarinetists, and keyboardist,  just to identify a few.

Tickets to see the performance given by the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre were also more affordable, there was no additional cost for parking, and there was less concern about crowds, traffic, and highway driving conditions.  With the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center located closer to my home, it was much more convenient and economical to view a more local ballet performance.

How wonderful it is to have such a wonderful ballet company and associated orchestra so close to home that offers such excellent performances at affordable prices and that is conveniently-located!  If you are able, I encourage the viewing of the performance of The Nutcracker.  There will be yet more performances of this heart-warming holiday ballet this coming weekend by the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center.  Come and enjoy an outstanding ballet!