Advent Reflection: God can never be outdone: Monday, December 19, 2022

Advent Reflection. The births we hear about today have the concept or idea of sacrifice about them. Perhaps more specifically, there is something sacred about them. They are what we would call Nazirite vows, coming from the word nazir, which means to be set apart. Taken either for a short time, or for life, one who took the vow did not drink wine and did not cut their hair. Both births describe this practice.

Readings for Today

Advent Reflection: God can never be outdone

When most of us think of sacrifice or penance, usually Lent comes to mind, when many choose to sacrifice by giving something up, something we really like. We may not think about how self-denial is a long part of any attempt to grow spiritually.

The births we hear about today have the concept or idea of sacrifice about them. Perhaps more specifically, there is something sacred about them. They are what we would call Nazirite vows, coming from the word nazir, which means to be set apart. Taken either for a short time, or for life, one who took the vow did not drink wine and did not cut their hair. Both births describe this practice.

In the first reading, it is Samson who lives the Nazirite vow. In the gospel, it is John the Baptist. In both cases their lives were set apart for a sacred and special purpose. It does call to mind that we too should think about what place we give to prayer and sacrifice.

For the vow of a Nazirite need not be for one’s entire life. It could (and was) often for only a period of time, a period of spiritual renewal perhaps. Even early Christians took the vow for a period of time.

The purpose of this Nazirite vow was to remove the desires that caused the heart not to see the relationship with God, and God Himself as the primary desire of the heart. For the season of Advent now focuses more historically on the birth of Jesus in history, and the birth of Jesus constantly in our lives today.

So, what do you need to remove from your heart and life so that God remains the center and focus of your life? What do you need to consider doing to give God the primary place in your heart and life?

Each day during the season of Advent, you will find an advent reflection from faculty and students at Christian Brothers College High School. To find all the reflections, go to our Advent Reflections page.