The following Bible passage, reflection, prayer and action are taken from Surefish's Daily Readings, which can be found here

Arise! Shine!

Maintain justice

Something to read

Thus says the Lord: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. Happy is the mortal who does this, the one who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it, and refrains from doing any evil.
Isaiah 56:1-2 (NRSV)

Something to think about

Once again Isaiah looks ahead to the time when God will intervene in human affairs decisively to complete our ‘deliverance’. This is the future time at which the lifespan of the cosmos will come to an end, and when God will establish an everlasting Kingdom of peace. So a future destiny of happiness is assured. But Isaiah asks the question to which we all want to know the answer: how can we live a happy life in the mean time?

His answer is radical. Happiness is to be found in doing good. Live out now the values which will be established for ever in the Kingdom. Recognise the need for rest and happiness in the middle of work by keeping a ‘Sabbath’, when the needs of humans are seen to be more important than the need for businesses to increase their profits. This had a religious significance as a time to remember being in relationship with God, and also a practical value as a time of refreshment for labourers.

In Honduras, Christian Aid seeks to work out Isaiah’s radical challenge by partnering COMAL (the Alternative Community Marketing Network). Part of their work involves buying goods from farmers at a fair price and distributing them to sometimes isolated areas through 500 community shops where the price at which they are sold is also fair. They also train poor farmers to process their produce (which then attracts a better price) and to improve their technology.

Trinidad Sánchez is the director. He says: ‘COMAL believes that together we can construct an economic alternative for people … if we respect the rights of people and practise justice. We need to read and interpret the Bible according to our lives and ask what God wants from people nowadays. Look, judge and act! People need to have hope, and we want to offer them the means to have hope.’

Something to do

Find out more about Christian Aid's work in the area

Something to pray

During a Bible study by the women's group La Esperanza ('Hope') in Honduras, one of the participants said, 'In the Bible it is written that what God gave us is for us all. I often think how beautiful it would be if everyone understood this.' Dwell on her words for a while, and then pray alongside her for such a world.

Today in history

Today in 1608 John Milton was born. His Paradise Lost is widely recognised as the greatest poem in the English language, and his Paradise Regained as the most disappointing sequel.

Image of the day

Marileth de Rosario Rodriguez, 12, was terrified when her home was destroyed by Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Now, with the help of partner MCM, the people in her village have re-built their houses and taken precautions in case of another hurricane. Photo: Christian Aid/Katie Splevins

Advent Calendar: December 9

If you can’t quite bring yourself to have a Buy Nothing Christmas, what about looking at Free Christmas or Reclaim Christmas, or join the Advent Conspiracy.

Advent tip of the day:
Home-made decorations

For stunning home-made tree decorations place lemon and orange slices at the bottom of a hot oven for around half an hour, leave to dry on some tissue paper, make a small hole for the ribbon and hang from the tree.

You can also hang home-made gingerbread from the tree; don’t forget to decorate with icing. For more ideas about how to make your own Christmas ornaments, click here.

Present Aid gift idea – a beehive for £24

Present Aid – gifts that count. Where is a garden without bees and what is toast without honey? A beehive provides farmers in Bolivia with an extra income and helps the crops.

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 – GPS Personal Training Device with Heart Rate Monitor

Is there a runner in your life? Get them the Forerunner 305 Wrist-Worn GPS Personal Training Device with Heart Rate Monitor and wave good bye after Christmas lunch – at least you know they will find their way back! Use the link to buy the gift and raise money for Christian Aid as well.

Eco gift idea – Boirà Pinot Grigio

A bottle (or a case) of organic Boirà Pinot Grigio should keep your favourite wine lover happy this Christmas. Use the link to buy the gift and raise money for Christian Aid as well.