The Book of Judges relates to us that during the reign of the Philistines over the Israelites, an angel of the Lord came to visit a couple. The story of the birth of Samson to the couple is one of obedience and sacrifice, as well as a miracle. Manoah and his wife had no children, but God chose Manoah’s barren wife to bear Samson. However, there were conditions – the angel said that she was not to eat anything unclean nor to drink wine or any strong drink. She was also given rules for her son: he was not to let a razor touch his hair – he would be a Nazirite so he too would not drink wine. We are told that Samson grew and was blessed by the Lord.

Luke’s Gospel tells another story of God choosing a barren woman to bear an important son. But this time the angel appeared to Zechariah and not to the woman. Again, the child was never to drink wine or strong drink. One unique message was that the child would be filled with the Holy Spirit even while in Elizabeth’s womb. When we think of this, we are reminded of how Luke wrote that when Mary visited Elizabeth before the birth of their sons, Elizabeth’s child “leaped in her womb”. In those days it was shameful to be a barren woman, but God blessed these two women and removed their shame to reform the slumbering people of God.