December 2, Mr. Charlie McLain

Exodus 3:2-6

And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

From early the early days of Cub Scouts to high school JROTC and now in college, I have always enjoyed fire. I split the wood, build a little log cabin with lint, paper, stick and logs and then with the addition of a little flame from a match or lighter a fire grows until ultimately there is light and heat for everyone around the ring. Fire has multiple purposes; it gives light and heat yet also purifies. Isaiah’s lips were cleansed with the hot coal, and here the area where God is present is cleansed and called sacred.

In this sacred space Moses casts off his shoes, which had the dirt of unholy places on them. Here, in this holy area the LORD makes himself known to Moses. Out of fear for his life, he throws himself on the ground terrified. Yet, this is a sacred place; Moses is in the presence of God. We too in the Advent time wish to be in the presence of God once more.

We cast off the unnecessary and take the time, at the very least, to walk into the sanctuary one extra time in the week–this sacred place where we receive the sacred gifts of our God. In this Advent season we cast our gaze towards the feeding trough, the cave, the young mother and father, these things that seem small and insignificant, but there the sacred Christ child lay–the Child that was born to die that we may live.

Mr. Charlie McLain

Student, Concordia University Chicago

Christ Academy: High School Proctor 2020-2022