Today’s reflection brings 2 things into focus

• Belief
• The Nazarite Calling

Both the choosing of Samson and John the Baptist have a similarity

• Both parents were barren, and God choose to honour them with children, who would serve him
• Both fathers disbelieved
• and yet both the hero’s went on to do great work…

Yet the little unfaith that Samson had, snowballed the depravity of his clan Dan, while John the Baptist, was the voice of repentance bringing people back to the love of God. Both being Nazarites were called from birth to keep away from a few thing, like dead bodies, shaving of hair and and no strong drink. While John was faithful to this call of his, Samson miserably failed.

In death, both teach us what it means to believe and have faith

• Samson believed and had faith, and so stretched out his hands to destroy the temple and the enemy
• John the Baptist, knowing his role had come to an end, showed us, faith leads to death, but death not in a negative sense, but like the night that comes before the morning.

Christmas is about this hope, that both these men teach us, believe and trust, therefore do everything that you believe, trusting God to honour you with His presence and friendship.