Growing up in one of the poorest parts of Dallas, one of the highlights of our Christmases in the ’70’s was driving around looking at all the lights in Highland Park, a wealthy suburb about one mile long.  They strung lights in enormous canopies over 100 year old trees and to say it was glorious would be an understatement.  Cars were bumper to bumper as we inched along and admired the elaborate displays of giant nutcrackers flanking majestic doorways, Santa Claus outside on his sleigh complete with all his reindeer, and candles illuminating every window in huge two and three story homes.  We were never jealous as we huddled in our station wagon with no heat; we were only grateful to all be together celebrating the season.  I always wondered about the families inside; I was sure they did not have a care in the world.  It is ironic that for YEARS we drove by my future husband’s grandmother’s house.  I wonder if we ever passed by each other as children.  How could I possibly have known that one day I would be a part of Christmases there?  I wonder if God wasn’t watching it all unfold with a smile.  The American Clergyman Roy L. Smith once said, “He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.”  I am so thankful to have more, but not to NEED it.  Isaiah predicted the coming of Christ and with His birth came the salvation of all who receive Him.  Nothing is greater than God’s gift to us, and no woman was greater than the Blessed Virgin Mary who answered God’s call without hesitation.  It was a Christmas foretold.