Let's Talk: Christmas Traditions
Jesus and the Nutcracker Ballet
Little girls who take ballet dancing lessons grow up dreaming of a role in the popular ballet, “The Nutcracker.” See if you find something familiar in the story…
The central character, Clara, a preteen, receives a special gift from her godfather, a Nutcracker who comes to life and goes to war with the evil Mouse King. Tragically, the Nutcracker dies. But Clara’s godfather brings the Nutcracker back to life. The Nutcracker, in turn, sweeps Clara away to his kingdom where he is greeted by an adoring crowd eagerly awaiting his arrival.
Like Clara, who lives in that time between childhood and adulthood, Christians are living in the time between the new birth (salvation) and eternal life in Heaven.
Interestingly, Clara has a natural aversion to the Mouse King even before he kills the Nutcracker. She greatly fears the Mouse King and is only content when the Nutcracker is at her side.
If you watch “The Nutcracker” ballet this year, look for other Christian symbolism (such as the way Clara’s godfather creates puppet shows that seem to prefigure future events), and remember that the evil Mouse King, who represents Satan, has been defeated.
All the sinful works of Satan—even death—were defeated on the cross. His work in the life of the believer is but a shadow, one that is dispelled as we remain close to the Savior.
“…that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14b-15).
