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

Arise! Shine!

Lose the chains of injustice

Something to read

Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.
Isaiah 58:6-9a (NRSV)

Something to think about

Isaiah continues to explain what it means to worship God or ‘fast’ in ways which please him, instead of being self-serving. Today’s worshippers have to find appropriate ways to approach something that his original readers could not have imagined - 21st century Christmas.

What was once a holy day prepared for by four weeks of fasting and repentance during Advent would now be unrecognisable by our Christian ancestors. But Isaiah would have recognised it! Yesterday we read of people who ‘serve their own interest on fast days, and oppress their workers’.

So Isaiah would have understood the advertising, the greed, and the trinkets and baubles made by workers in the developing world for poor wages and under burdensome conditions - all done in the name of God’s festival. Today we see his positive alternative - using the time to tackle injustice, to share with those who are in need, and to seek God.

Something to do

Christian Aid offers a scheme which allows people to take control of the way they experience Christmas, and enjoy it in a way which makes sense of their faith and their concern for the developing world.

‘Alternativity’ is an initiative of the Scottish team. Find out more. Its subscription newsletter has ideas for decorations which have Christian meaning, feasting without gluttony, and preparations which create space for spiritual reflection.

Something to pray

In my preparations for Christmas, may light shine forth.
In relating to those with whom I celebrate, may healing spring up.
In making room for Jesus in the middle of the festivity,
may the glory of the Lord go before me and behind me.
Amen.

Today in history

The Red Cross was founded in Geneva today in 1863 by Henry Dunant, after he had witnessed the 1859 Battle of Solverino where 80,000 died. He was the first recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, but died in poverty and forgotten.

It is St Spyridion’s Day, shepherd and Bishop of Termithus in Cyprus. He attended the Council of Nicea despite his and his deacon’s donkeys being decapitated on the way by fellow orthodox bishops who didn’t like his style. He replaced the heads, but got them the wrong way round, we are told.

Image of the day

In India, birth attendants Santani Mallick (green sari) and Chabi Rani Behera (yellow sari) discuss post-natal care with mother Manju Mallick, pictured with her 15-day old baby son. Also pictured is Gura Mallick, great grandmother of the baby boy. Christian Aid / Tom Pietrasik

Advent Calendar:
December 14

Today is Precalentines Day, an unofficial day to celebrate maths. Work out how many gifts were given in the 12 days of Christmas and how much they were worth, and then reward yourself with a partridge or a pear tree.

Advent tip of the day:
Life changing gifts

Buying presents can be tricky. If you do decide to buy gifts this year and you’re stuck for ideas, why not consider buying an ethical gift from www.presentaid.org instead.

Present Aid gift idea – 16 ducks for £25

Present Aid – gifts that count. Duck farming helps people hit by floods in Bangladesh get back on their feet. Giving 16 ducks could mean the difference between self-sufficiency and relying on loans.

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. Tomorrow is the last ordering day for Present Aid.

Amazon gift idea – Norton Internet Security 2010

It may not be a glamorous Christmas present, but buy your loved one’ computer peace of mind with Norton Internet Security 2010.Use the link to buy the gift and raise money for Christian Aid as well.

Eco gift idea – Pants to Poverty

Useful and cute too – Pants to Poverty Blue Angel Wings organic pants for him, complete with wings print. Use the link to buy the gift and raise money for Christian Aid as well.