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

Arise! Shine!

Humility instead

Something to read

Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers.
Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?
Isaiah 58:3b-5 (NRSV)

Something to think about

The Jews who prayed and fasted in Isaiah’s day felt that God was taking no notice of them. But as far as the Lord was concerned, their worship was just a matter of pleasing themselves. It gave the appearance of religious discipline, but in fact it just produced irritability.

In every generation of worshippers of God there have been people who have managed to hold together excellence in religious activity and cruelty in attitude. Examples? The church choir that sings ‘O praise ye the Lord’ with spine-tingling perfection but seethes with dislike of the minister.

The person leading prayers who is principally concerned to be better spoken, dressed and appreciated than last week’s rival. Anyone whose work on a Monday morning falls short of the standards of justice and compassion of the God whom they have worshipped the day before. ‘There is a logical reason why you think I do not respond,’ says the Lord. ‘It’s because you are not talking to me; you are talking to yourselves.’

Something to do

In six days’ time it will be Sunday – the last one before Christmas. Look it up in your diary and write, ‘Why am I doing this?’ If you go to church that day, let the words prompt you to have a different attitude to worshipping God. Put aside the things which annoy you about the building, the people, the choice of music or the style. Instead ask God to accept your praises, however imperfect, and make a better person of you. At the end of the day make another note in your diary of anything that lifted your spirits.

Something to pray

Gracious God, accept our worship:
May the men and women praise you,
May the babes and children praise you,
May the fields and cities praise you,
May the dark and daytime praise you,
May the noise and silence praise you,
May the joy and sorrow praise you.
Let our prayers bring you pleasure,
Gracious God, accept our worship.

Today in history

The Council of Trent was officially opened today in 1545. The Catholic Church had been trying to organise a council for years to address the Protestant problem, in which time it had changed from conciliatrory and defensive to reformed and militant.

It is St Lucy’s Day, a martyr under Emperor Diocletian in c.304. Her name sounding like the Latin for ‘light’, she was invoked for eye-diseases. From this, apparently, the tradition started of depicting her with a couple of eyes on a plate; and from this grew the legend of her horrific blinding by the Romans.

Image of the day

Ra'eda receives social care and counselling as part of the YMCA's rehabilitation programme for the disabled in Bethelehem. Ra'eda sustained a serious leg injury when Israeli tankfire hit her home one night. She now needs a crutch to walk. Christian Aid / Simon Townsley

Advent Calendar: December 13

Today is the feast day of St Lucy of Syracuse patron saint of writers. As an alternative to buying presents for people, why not write them something personal – perhaps a poem, a promise to walk the dog, make lunch or wash the car, or a memory box with slips of paper remembering things you have done together.

Advent tip of the day:
Deck the halls

Looking for a way to save money on presents? Why not check out your local charity shops. You can buy second-hand books, toys and children’s clothes all in good condition for a fraction of the cost and all in the name of a good cause.

Don’t forget to join your local freecycle group which allows people in your area to post adverts for their unwanted goods, all you have to do is turn up and take it away. Freecycle is a great place to get hold of second hand bikes, furniture and electrical items – all for free!

Present Aid gift idea – a bridge for £1400

Present Aid – gifts that count. Not being able to cross a river leaves communities stranded. Providing a bridge connects communities and makes sure that children can get to get to school all year round.

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 – If On A Winter's Night

Enjoy traditional music from the British Isles from the last five centuries with Sting’s If On A Winter’s Night (the deluxe version includes a DVD). Use the links to buy the gift and raise money for Christian Aid as well.

Eco gift idea – DUVETS ARE A GIRLS BEST FRIEND kid’s T-shirt

See if she’ll get out up on Christmas morning for the organic cotton DUVETS ARE A GIRLS BEST FRIEND kid’s T-shirt. Use the link to buy the gift and raise money for Christian Aid as well.