Hubble's Advent on The Big Picture

The Big Picture (the Boston Globe's high-res photo feature) has a new idea: an advent calendar using Hubble pictures! Every day, TBP will post a new Hubble image with a brief explanation, leading up to Christmas. TBP's proprietor, Alan Taylor, had asked if I wanted to pitch in, but sadly I am overwhelmed with work right now (including researching this year's Top Ten Astronomy Pictures; stay tuned for more info on that!) so he's on his own... but judging by his first choice (V838 Monocerotis) I think he'll do just fine.