The First Christmas: the donkey

 The First Christmas: the donkey by ric gustafson

I was tired. It took six days but we made it. I got my master here safely. It was cold and snowy but we made it. There was no place to stay because of the census. Luckily, the Innkeeper let us stay in his stable. 

It had been a busy day here in this stable. Shepherds came bearing gifts. Wise Men came bearing gifts. Angels came to see the baby boy just born to my master. Donkey's go back to a Moabite prophet named Balaam. We are stubborn. It is one of our character traits. You can command a horse. A donkey you need to negotiate. There is a prophecy that the coming Messiah will come riding on one of us.

The ox in the next stall is a decent stablemate. He is well mannered. I would not have one as a friend. They are dull and lumbering. We eat less and move more quickly. The excitement is that a baby boy was born here. 

Hopefully, I will be able to return my master soon back home.

research help: ' The First Christmas' by Stephen Mitchell

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Advent: Isaiah 9:2

 Advent: Isaiah 9:2 by ric gustafson

The people of Israel were in the darkness of exile. They felt judgment and abandonment. But in the darkness, God brings a new message. Isaiah 9:2 says the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light those who lived of deep darkness on them light has shined. God's message is a promise and hope. That message is that a great light has shined upon them.

Darkness can overcome us. We need a new message. We need a promise of hope that is beyond darkness. 

On this first day of Advent, we need the light of Jesus. Jesus came to be that light. He died on a cross. Jesus gives us that light of grace. Jesus loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' The Light of Grace' by Michael Hoy

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

while Idaho slept page 2

 while Idaho slept page 2 by ric gustafson

When Kaylee and Maddie left the bar, they were joined by an acquaintance, His name was Jack Showalter. He wanted to make sure the two girls got home safely. Just after 1:30 am, the trio stopped at the Grub Truck. It was a popular outdoor canteen for late night snacking. The canteen was usually full of University students returning from the bars.

Kaylee and Maddie waited ten minutes for their food. Maddie was cold with her coat not zipped up. Showalter was dressed more warmer than the two girls. Kaylee called for a rideshare. 

The two girls were mostly ignoring Showalter. So he decided to talk to a male next to him. When the rideshare arrived. the two girls jumped in. They ignored Showalter again and did not say goodbye.

This was the last time anybody at the Grub Truck saw the two girls alive.

research help: ' While Idaho Slept' by J. Reuben Appelman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

While Idaho slept page 1

 While Idaho slept page 1 by ric gustafson

On November 12 2022, Kaylee Goncalves and Maddie Mogen were going out for a night of fun. Their destination was the Corner Club in downtown Moscow Idaho. Kaylee and Maddie were college roommates and best friends. It was an overcast Saturday night. Moscow Idaho was a quiet college town.

The temperature in Moscow Idaho that night was 32 degrees. Kaylee wore a light sweatshirt and trendy jeans with holes across the knees. She wore white sneakers. Maddie wore frayed jeans and a pink T shirt. 

The Corner Club in Moscow Idaho had the style of a concrete bunker. It was a typical sports bar with numerous TV sets on the walls. That night, Kaylee and Maddie drank long neck bottles of beer. The bar's camera showed the two getting happily buzzed.

College Thanksgiving break was only a week away. Kaylee was excited. She was already graduating at the end of the semester. She had already accepted a job in Austin Texas. After getting her degree, she was going to Europe for a month. Then she was going to begin the next phase of her life. 

At the bar, the two chatted with Jack Ducoeur. He was Kaylee's on again off again boyfriend. Also that night, Maddie had a long conversation with one of the bartenders. His name was Adam Lauda.

Kaylee and Maddie did not leave the bar until after 1:00 am.

research help: ' While Idaho Slept' by J. Reuben Appelman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Preadvent: Romans 14:17

 Preadvent: Romans 14:17 by ric gustafson

God wants us to have peace on earth and goodwill to all. God wants us to have joy in our hearts. And what does God give us to have those things?. Romans 14:17 says for the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. God gives us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will breathe heavenly peace in us. Then we can share that peace with everyone.

God wants us to be people of peace. We need to be grateful for the blessings God gives us every day. God gives us every day everything we need. Praise God's name.

research help: ' On the way to Bethlehem' by Emily Jaminet

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

The First Christmas: the Shepherds

 The First Christmas: the Shepherds by ric gustafson

I was watching sheep on a hill outside Bethlehem. The sheep did not belong to me. The 227 sheep and lambs belonged to a merchant who lived in Jerusalem. I knew the name of each one.

That night, three of us were awake. The others had gone to sleep. There was snow on the ground. The sheep had to poke through the snow to get to the grass. I was wrapped in a sheepskin cloak. 

All of a sudden, I was startled. An angel appeared at our fire. The angel was tall, had red hair and a red beard. His face was wrinkled. His eyes never blinked.

Then the hills lit up. I threw myself on the ground. I covered my head with my hands.

The angel's voice was like music. " Don't be afraid".

My mouth was wide open.

" I bring you good news of a great joy".

Then I heard singing coming from the stars.

" To you there is born today a child who is the Messiah".

The stars sang. " Glory to God in the highest".

There was one more instruction from the angel.

" You will find the child wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger".

Then the stars were silent. The angel was gone.

The shepherds left to find the child. They gave him gifts.

research help: ' The First Christmas' by Stephen Mitchell

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

The First Christmas: the Ox

 The First Christmas: the Ox by ric gustafson

I am a sociable animal by nature. I became excited when I saw my master bring in two humans and a donkey. The man put the donkey into a stall next to mine. I poked my head over a partition to get a better look. The donkey was a jenny and young. Probably five years old. She looked tired.

I was right. She lay down in a corner of the stall and fell asleep. As far as donkeys are concerned, I have seen quite a few come through here.

At one point, the donkey was asleep and so were the two humans. I chewed on my curd. It was quiet for an hour or two. It was a silent night.

Then the woman began to moan. The man started wiping her brow. After a period of time, a child came into this world. He was a tiny creature a beautiful baby boy.

I will protect this child. I will.

research help: ' The First Christmas' by Stephen Mitchell

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric