The Journey to Bethlehem

It's the season of Advent, -- as of November 30th this lunar cycle -- marking the Catholic new year! So it's already 2015 in the liturgical year.

That means the Christmas season is coming, and it's time to get in the spirit!

And if you don't know what Advent is, think of it as a four week long Catholic Hanukkah, minus the gifts.

So, I decided it was time to draw a picture of the Holy Family's journey to Bethlehem.

And it's my first time drawing a donkey! HUZZAH!!

They're journeying through a windy sandstorm, which is why the donkey is bowing his head, their garments are blowing and Saint Joseph looks slightly weary.

Mary is filled with joy despite the harsh trip, because she's so eager to cradle and love the Savior of the world, which is why she's looking down at her belly and smiling.

I went with traditional Catholic colors associated with the Holy Family -- Mary is often depicted in blue and pink, and Joseph is often depicted in green and brown.

ENJOY!!

Art - Porcelain-Requiem
References - rlv.zcache.com/the_journey_to_… and images.clipartpanda.com/donkey…

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The Friendly Beasts

Jesus our brother, kind and good
Was humbly born in a stable of wood
And the friendly beasts around Him stood
Jesus our brother, kind and good.

"I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown,
"I carried His mother up hill and down;
I carried her safely to Bethlehem town."
"I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown.

"I," said the cow, all white and red,
"I gave Him my manger for a bed;
I gave Him my hay to pillow His head."
"I," said the cow, all white and red.

"I," said the sheep with curly horn,
"I gave Him my wool for His blanket warm;
He wore my coat on Christmas morn."
"I," said the sheep with curly horn.

"I," said the dove from the rafters high,
"I cooed Him to sleep that He should not cry;
We cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I."
"I," said the dove from the rafters high.

"I," said the camel, yellow and black,
"Over the desert, upon my back,
I brought Him a gift in the Wise Men's pack."
"I," said the camel, yellow and black.

Thus every beast by some good spell
In the stable dark was glad to tell
Of the gift they gave Emmanuel,
The gift they gave Emmanuel.