I'm sorry that I don't know the artist of this picture, or I would happily give him/her the credit. It always reminds me of Dr. Leonard of Arizona, who calls his medical practice "Morning Star" after the Blessed Virgin, and who gave out this picture as a memento when he married.

We reflect on the spiritual beauty that must have been present in the Virgin Mary, especially as she bore God Himself in her womb for nine months. We, of course, do not worship her as we do God, but we ask her to intercede with Her Divine Son to make us more like Him every day. Think of the holiness ("the sanctity so amiable" noted below) that must have radiated from her when God Himself was living within her.

"Reflect, therefore, dear reader, upon her sanctity so amiable, and so much esteemed, even by the angels -- upon the graces she had in this life, and the glory with which God has crowned her in Heaven. Keep before your mind's eye this great prodigy, as the Apostle and Evangelist, St. John, calls her -- that is to say, this peerless woman, clothed with the sun, having the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars around her head, and then say if it is not worth your while in order to merit her love, to renounce the riches, honors and pleasures of this world by becoming truly devoted to her. Make a compact with yourself never more to think of persons or things that may cause you to fall into sin."

~ Rev. Hilary Maurice Vigo, "The Immaculate Conception: the History, Trials, and Triumphs of the Work of God at Lourdes," 1878.