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

Arise! Shine!

Mary's reaction

Something to read

Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I am a virgin?' The angel said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.' Then Mary said, 'Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.' Then the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:34-38 (NRSV)

Something to think about

Here is a message for dark evenings when the news is full of atrocities that one group of humans has committed against another, and peace seems an impossible dream in this fearful world: ‘Nothing will be impossible with God’.

And a message for those who have committed themselves to being good news for poor people, but feel overwhelmed by the scale of the task when they hear of yet another crisis: ‘Nothing will be impossible with God’.

And a message for those who look ahead to Christmas celebrations that will be overshadowed by anxiety, sadness or burdens which seem too much to bear alone: ‘Nothing will be impossible with God’.

Mary had everything to lose. Bearing an illegitimate child meant she was confronted with the certainty of losing her reputation and future husband, the likelihood of being put out into beggary, and the possibility of being executed if the religious authorities were so inclined.

Under those circumstances it is staggering that someone should have the reckless faith to say, ‘Here I am, the servant of the Lord.’ But if we wish to open ourselves to the discovery that nothing will be impossible with God, that is the only possible starting place.

Something to do

It is possible that over the next few days you will be called on to be a servant to many people - willingly or not. Take a moment to think through the days ahead and how you will make the most of them. Where will you make time to be a servant to God? How can you be a servant to the wider world? Where will there be a space to be a servant to yourself?

Something to pray

Come close to me, Most High God, this Christmas.
How dare I ask something so impossible?
Because in Jesus you have been born into all the hurts and joys of human life.
To a God who has graced the human form with such undeserved dignity what can I say?
'Here I am, the servant of the Lord.'

Image of the day

Fakhridin Urunbove, 12, with his pet dove at home. He attends a youth project run by ZUMRAD which provides training and outdoor activities for vulnerable children. Christian Aid/Gary Calton

Advent Calendar:
December 23

Last posting day for Special Delivery post to the UK. If you’ve missed it, look at e-cards (which are actually more eco-friendly too). My favourite ones are Earth from the Air, jimpix, NSPCC and Jacqui Lawson (I am a huge fan of Chudleigh).

Advent tip of the day:
Do something remarkable

It’s the season of Good Will, show yours this Christmas and do something remarkable for someone less fortunate, for someone you’ve never even met.

Get involved with Christian Aid – you can become a regular donor or give in other ways. Whatever you choose, your support will make the world of difference to someone in a need!

Amazon product of the day

It’s too late to order for Christmas, but what about those New Year’s resolutions? You’ve bought the seed to grow your own veg but what next? Try Vegetable Growing Month-by-month: The Down-to-earth Guide That Takes You Through the Vegetable Year. Use the link to buy the product and raise money for Christian Aid as well.

Eco New Year’s resolution idea – Ben the Bin

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… recycle your Christmas cards and other recyclables, and use up all the carrier bags under the sink, with Ben the Bin? Use the link to go to the site and search for the product, and raise money for Christian Aid as well.

Today in history

Today in 551, Pope Vigilus was assaulted at the altar by representatives of the Eastern Emperor, over a dispute over the nature of Christ, and ran and hid in the church at Chalcedon.

Today in 1987 the Finnish Tourist Board got Santa Claus an audience with the Pope to prove that the real deal was from Finland.

It is St. John of Capistrano’s day, a 15th-century lawyer who turned Franciscan preacher and invented the Devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus and His Mother. He led a successful crusade against Turkish invaders of Austria at the age of 70.