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

Arise! Shine!

The young and the old

Something to read

No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days,
or an old person who does not live out a lifetime;
for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth,
and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed.
They shall build houses and inhabit them;
they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
They shall not build and another inhabit;
they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
Isaiah 65:20-22 (NRSV)

Something to think about

Isaiah’s picture of the future continues - a vision for the 6th century BC when God restored his people to their homeland; a vision for eternity in the heaven which God is preparing; and a vision for today which galvanizes Christians to work here and now to build a world with the values of God’s kingdom. The blessings of this kingdom involve complete fulfillment:

• Human life is fulfilled, with children safely surviving childbirth and thriving in infancy.

• Human potential is fulfilled, with all people living healthily to a good age.

• Human work is fulfilled, with a society stable and free from the catastrophes which demotivate people from building permanent houses or planting crops - war, drought and other calamities which force people to leave their homes.

In Ghana, 100 children out of every thousand die before they reach their fifth birthday; in the UK it is seven and in Ireland six. In Ghana the average life expectancy is 60 years; in the UK it is 77 and in Ireland 76.

Why the difference? Among other things it is related to the fact that in the UK there are 167 doctors for every 100,000 people (164 in Ireland). In Ghana there are four. Our generation, which has the capability of making Isaiah’s vision a present reality, is fulfilling it in a very unequal way.

Something to do

UNICEF statistics give a comparison of how children thrive country by country and decade by decade. Look them up so that you can rejoice in what is being achieved and pray for the huge challenge that remains.

Something to pray

Lord God, forgive this world,
which has allowed its children to die of curable diseases;
to experience their growing years as a time of burden instead of joy;
to bear the weight of the wickedness of adults.
And in your mercy, grant us a will to change it.
Amen.

Today in history

Pope Pius XI issued the encyclical Ad Catholici Sacerdotii advising priests on how to do the job better, today in 1935.

Pope Zephyrinus was executed by Rome on this day in 217.

Image of the day

Barakabaho - Let them live - was set up after the genocide in Rwanda to help orphans. Now it also helps AIDS orphans and gives goats, chickens, seeds, tools and training to ophan headed households and guardians who have taken in orphans. Pictured is Emmanuel and his three brothers, all genocide orphans. Emmanual has been looking after them since he was 15 - he is now 24. He has recieved two goats and three chickens from Barakabaho. He has also had training in farming techniques, HIV awareness, conflict resolution and bringing up children.

Advent Calendar: December 20

Wrapping presents uses acres of paper, not all of which gets recycled. When you sit down to wrap your presents, think about using recycled paper, wrapping presents in scarves or T shirts, or using saved wrapping paper. Last year’s cards work really well as gift tags. And you’ll be just in time for the last posting day for First Class post to the UK.

Advent tip of the day: New traditions

The best memories aren’t about gifts and money spent but more about being together in special ways.

Why not start your own special family tradition if you don’t already have one… make glitter footprints down the stairs to show children the Christmas fairies have been, do a family walk or jigsaw, play a game, have a treasure hunt, hold a Christmas competition or quiz (look on the internet for inspiration), or simply spend time watching a film together.

Amazon product of the day

• Amazon voucher to print off or to send by email

Or why not buy a Highland Aromatics Freshen Up Gift Set?

Pamper someone you love with the Scottish Fine Soaps Highland Aromatics Freshen Up Gift Set, including body wash, body lotion, soap and bath fizz. Today is the last day for UK first class delivery with Amazon. Use the link to buy the gift and raise money for Christian Aid as well.

Eco New Year’s resolution idea – recycled paper

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 recycled paper in the office. Use the link to buy the products and raise money for Christian Aid as well.