The following Bible passage, reflection, prayer and action are taken from Surefish's Daily Readings, which can be found here
Arise! Shine!
You shall go out with joy
Something to read
You shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
Isaiah 55:12-13 (NRSV)
Something to think about
This is the jubilant climax of a song which we have been looking at for four days. It began with an invitation to come (to a marketplace where everything on which life depends is provided free of charge). It ends with an encouragement to go (out into a renewed world, rejoicing in what God has done). Between the two have come a search for God, a discovery of forgiveness for all that has been wrong, and a change of life. This is the transforming nature of the kingdom of God, and its value is too good to keep to yourself. It is a gift to go out and share.
For whom is this gift? For individuals, of course (because that is how God knows us). For the people of Israel in the 6th century before Jesus (and they did indeed return to their homeland rejoicing after eighty years of misery in exile). For all the people of the world (because this new way of life is to be a ‘sign’ or ‘memorial’ which points others to the way of salvation). But also for the whole of creation itself (renewed with evergreen trees replacing dried-up weeds). In the Kingdom of God, people rejoice because they are treated with justice, the earth is productive because it is tended with care, and the whole created order responds unforgettably to God.
Next time you are in a draughty church faithfully praying with just three other people, remember that this is the vision you are actually caught up in. And smile!
Something to do
Seize this enthusiastic moment to revive the living things in and around your home. Tend the pot plants; sweep up the last of the fallen leaves; snip the dead wood out of the garden if you have one; tidy the road outside your door if you haven’t. Remember that Spring will follow Winter and get ready to enjoy the new life that is to come.
Something to pray
Go forth into the world in peace, looking up to Jesus, who was wounded for your transgressions, and bearing about in your lives the love and joy and peace which are the marks of Jesus on his disciples; and so may the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be upon you.
A prayer from Northern Uganda, attributed to Canon Alipayo of Acholiland
Today in history
Today in 1869 the first Vatican council was officially opened by Pius IX. It was the largest ecumenical council yet, and the longest-awaited, coming 300 years after the previous one; and, since it announced the Pope’s infallibility, there wasn’t another expected for an even longer time, if ever.
94 years later, they were proved very wrong. Today in 1965, Vatican II ended, and a new-look enlightened Catholicism was launched.
It is St Budoc’s Day, who was born in barrel. His pregnant mother, Princess Azenor, saved her father from a serpent by smearing her breast in olive oil and milk to attract it away. The ungrateful father threw her in the sea shut up in a barrel to please her wicked stepmother. She and Budoc were preserved by angels and saints till they landed in Ireland. True story.
It is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Today the Virgin Mary was conceived by Ss Joachim and Anna, who were miraculously enabled to perform the act without any pleasure whatsoever, and thus preserved Mary from original sin.
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Image of the day
In Rwanda, the GACACA process is the traditional justice system usually used to try domestic and community crimes such as domestic violence and cattle theft.
The process has been adapted to try Genocide crimes, and establish th etruth and encourage reconciliation. CLADHO is a human rights organisation supported by Christian Aid. Among many things CLADHO also does electoral awareness raising and teaches people how to vote.
Pictured is Jeanne Kabagurira, the voluntary elected president of the Gacaca court. She has lost many of her own family in the genocide. Christian Aid/Georgiana Treasure-Evans
 Advent Calendar: December 8
PresentAid is Christian Aid’s virtual gift shop, where the gifts you buy (from £8 for a basketball to £860 to help two children in a malnutrition ward) become a donation (and don’t forget the gift aid). Today is the last day to order PresentAid gifts for delivery outside Europe.
Advent tip of the day:
Christmas fashion on a budget
Don’t buy a new dress for the office Christmas party, choose a simple dress from last year’s wardrobe and jazz up with some new accessories. Consider buying from charity and vintage shops or ebay. If you are buying on ebay make sure you check out ebay for charity first.
Had your eye on a friend’s dress? Why not ask if you can borrow it for a night, or swap it temporarily, for one of yours. Got some time over Christmas? Try out these natural beauty recipes. Making your own is fun and will save you pounds in the New Year!
Present Aid gift idea – soap making kit for £13
 Present Aid – gifts that count. Soap is a great gift at Christmas (unless you think someone is trying to tell you something…) A soap making kit will help a woman in Burkina Faso turn shea butter into luxurious moisturising soap, which she can sell to support her family.
If you want to hand over a gift on Christmas Day, add in a Christian Aid Calendar (or get one free if you spend over £40). Use the link to go to the Present Aid site and then search for the gift you want to give.
Amazon gift idea – Britain’s Got Talent electronic board game
 Find your family and friends’ hidden talents with the Britain’s Got Talent board game. Use the link to buy the gift and raise money for Christian Aid as well.
Eco gift idea – Woven Bucket Bag
 The Woven Bucket Bag is quirky and useful, and ideal for… well, just about anyone! Use the link to buy the gift and raise money for Christian Aid as well.
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