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

Arise! Shine!

Beauty instead of ashes

Something to read

[The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,]
to comfort all who mourn;
to provide for those who mourn in Zion -
to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
They shall build up the ancient ruins,
they shall raise up the former devastations.
Isaiah 61:2b-4 (NRSV)

Something to think about

‘I read in a book that a man called Christ went about doing good. It is very disconcerting that I am so easily satisfied with just going about.’

This is a meditation of Toyohiko Kagawa, the 20th century Japanese reformer whose experience of being comforted when bereaved at an early age led him first to convert to Christianity, then to work among poor shipbuilders, and then to campaign passionately against the waste of life that came with war. His ministry took him from poverty (he lived for twelve years in a shed two metres square in the slums of Kobe) to high-ranking government approval, then to arrest, and finally to international recognition.

To go about doing good among those who mourn and those who are poor requires more than just being a cheery companion. Change in these circumstances does not come about quickly, but it can come steadily. It is like the slow maturing of an oak tree or the patient reconstruction of a ruined city. Are you prepared to be that kind of lifelong servant?

Something to do

Christmas is often an extremely difficult time for people who mourn. Loneliness can be a heavy burden - but so can company! Think about people you know who, because of bereavement or for any other reason, will be alone this Christmas.

Then try to be creative about what would give them gladness instead of mourning - a letter, a visit, an invitation, company for a visit to church, or a reassurance that it is perfectly acceptable not to force themselves to be merry if they choose. In the spirit of the Bible verses, use your imagination to offer them what they would prefer, not merely what you would like in the circumstances.

Something to pray

God's blessing upon all who enter the world this day,
and upon all who depart it.
God's peace upon all who begin to celebrate tonight,
and upon all who begin to grieve.
God prosper all who bring laughter in his name this Christmas,
and all who bring comfort.

Image of the day

Children sorting maize in Ghana. If poultry farmers were protected from cheap imports, maize farmers could also benefit from the increased demand for poultry feed. However sometimes maize farmers also face competition from cheap imports of maize.

Advent Calendar:
December 22

If you have bought a local turkey, don’t forget to collect it. And if you have a frozen turkey, leave plenty of time to defrost it – check whether there are ice crystals in the cavity and whether thicker parts of meat still feel frozen. Finally, don’t forget the turkey ring tone…

Advent tip of the day:
Reduce your bills and go green

Go green and save money by reducing your energy bills this Christmas; remind everyone to turn off lights and electrical items if not in use. Remember flashing Christmas tree lights cost more!

Put kitchen foil behind radiators as this will deflect heat back into the room. Be careful to block any drafts (windows and doors) and turn your heating down by one degree.

Use candles to create Christmas ambience and save £s on your electricity bill. Why not go green and switch your energy supplier to Ecotricity - they’ll donate £25 to Christian Aid too. For information about recycling click here

Amazon's New Year’s resolution idea – exercising more

It’s too late to order for Christmas, but what about those New Year’s resolutions? Christmas is a time for indulgence, but the New Year could be the time to get back in shape – try the Pilates Weight Loss Workout For Dummies. Use the link to buy the product and raise money for Christian Aid as well.

Eco New Year’s resolution idea – solar chargers

It’s getting a bit late now to buy Christmas presents online, but what about getting the New Year’s resolutions in early? Why not make 2010 the year that you… switch to solar chargers and use the energy from the sun rather than the plug socket. Use the link to buy the product and raise money for Christian Aid as well.

Today in history

Dwight Moody, American evangelist and leader of a transatlantic revival, died today in 1899, saying, 'I see earth receding. Heaven is opening. God is calling me.'

The Dominican order was sanctioned today in 1216 by Pope Honorious III. Developing from St Dominic’s preaching mission to the Cathar heretics, they became the secret police of the Middle Ages.