The Nativity (1597), Frederico Barocci

This has to be my favorite Nativity picture!  I have it framed but never knew who painted it and now I know!!!  I love the way Baby Jesus is looking around  and the way that  Blessed Mother Mary is focused on Him.  Also, I can see St. Joseph showing the shepherds in that way. 
Blessed Christmas and New Year to all!

 
 Mary with Child and John the Baptist (first half of 16th century), Bernard van Orley



I do not think that part from the felicity of Heaven, there can be a joy comparable to that experienced by the souls in Purgatory. An incessant communication from God renders their joy more vivid from day to day: and this communication becomes more and more intimate, to the extent that it consumes the obstacles still existing in the soul….On the other hand, they endure pain so intense, that no tongue is able to describe it. Nor is any mind capable of comprehending the smallest spark of that consuming fire, unless God should show it to him by a special grace.

 -Saint Catherine of Siena

 

The clients of this most merciful Mother are very fortunate. She helps them both in this life and in the next, consoling them and sponsoring their cause in Purgatory. For the simple reason that the Souls in Purgatory need help so desperately, since they cannot help themselves, our Mother of Mercy does so much more to relieve them. She exercises over these Poor Souls, who are the spouses of Christ, particular dominion, with power to relieve them and even deliver them from their pains. See how important it is then to have devotion to this good Lady, because she never forgets her servants as long as they suffer in these flames. If she helps all the Poor Souls, she is especially indulgent and consoling to her own clients.” 

 -Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church, The Glories of Mary

From "The Liturgical Year" by Dom Gueranger O.S.B.

Volume 1 Advent - Chapter The Fifth

On Hearing Mass During The Time Of Advent

 

The Immaculate Conception (circa 1618), Diego Velázquez

 

        There is no exercise which is more pleasing to God, or more

meritorious, or which has greater influence in infusing solid piety into

the soul, than the assisting at the holy sacrifice of the Mass. If this be

true at all the various seasons of the Christian year, it is so, in a very

special manner, during the holy time of Advent. The faithful, therefore,

should make every effort in order to enjoy this precious blessing, even on

those days when they are not obliged to it by the precept of the Church.

    With what gratitude ought they to assist at that divine sacrifice, for

which the world had been longing for four thousand years! God has granted

them to be born after the fulfillment of that stupendous and merciful

oblation, and would not put them in the generations of men who died before

they could partake of its reality and its riches! This notwithstanding,

they must earnestly unite with the Church in praying for the coming of the

Redeemer, so to pay their share of that great debt which God had put upon

all, whether living before or after the fulfillment of the mystery of the

Incarnation. Let them think of this in assisting at the holy sacrifice.

    Let them also remember that this great sacrifice, which perpetuates on

this earth even to the end of time, though in an unbloody manner, the real

oblation of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, has this for its express

aim: to prepare the souls of the faithful for the mysterious coming of God,

who redeemed our souls only that He might take possession of them. It not

only prepares, it even effects this glorious advent.

    Let them, in the third place, lovingly profit by the presence of, and

intimacy with, Jesus, to which this hidden yet saving mystery admits them;

that so, when He comes in that other way, whereby He will judge the world

in terrible majesty, He may recognize them as His friends, and even then,

when mercy shall give place to justice, again save them.