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{Heart4Teens.com}  *Christmas Sacrifice*

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Visit our inspirational web site to read all the past articles in our archives and view the tons of resources we have there for teens!

http://www.Heart4Teens.com/Teen_Stories


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Christmas Sacrifice


Jesus' sacrifice...

Those are two words you don't often hear used together at Christmas time. Usually we wait until the Easter season to talk about the sacrifice that Jesus made for us.

But Jesus' sacrifice didn't begin with the cross, it began at his birth. It began the moment he took human form. Remember who we're talking about here. The Son of God, yes. But also GOD HIMSELF. Jesus is equal to God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. He is one with them.

Before he came to earth, Jesus possessed all of God's attributes. His power was limitless. He spoke the world into existence in Genesis 1. He created and breathed life into the human race. Nothing was beyond his capability. He was omniscient, which means he knew everything about everything. Nothing was a mystery to him.

Jesus was also omnipresent, which means he was everywhere at once. Nothing could physically restrict him or contain him. His presence dwarfed the universe. He was impassible, which means nothing could harm him or inflict pain on him.

Yet he willingly laid aside his perfections in order to come to earth and live among his creation. As one of us.

Jesus left his exalted position in heaven for a life of rejection, ridicule and betrayal on our sin-ravaged planet. He gave up his autonomy and became a helpless baby. He had to depend on his human mother to take care of him.

Jesus gave up his impassability and willingly made himself vulnerable to pain, sickness, torture and eventually death. He submitted himself to physical restrictions like hunger and thirst. He squeezed his infinite presence into a container of flesh roughly five and a half feet high.

Can you imagine how restricting and agonizing that transition must have been? Can you imagine the kind of love that motivated him to make such a sacrifice?

We do a lot of celebrating during the Christmas season, and for good reason. But this year, as we approach the big day, let's take some time to think about what Jesus had to endure in order for us to be able to celebrate.

On your own ...

Read Luke 2:1-40.
http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=NLT&passage=Luke+2%3A1-40

As you read this familiar Christmas passage, take a moment to thank the Lord for each sacrifice you read about. Remember, think in terms of God giving up his attributes in order to become human--for our sake.


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Thought For The Day:

"It is right to be contented with what we have, never with what we are." --Sir James Mackintosh


Verse for the Day:

"I have learned to get along happily whether I have much or little." --Philipians 4:11


Teen's Thought For The Day:

"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face."


Parent's Thought For The Day

"A family is a unit composed not only of children, but of men, women, an occasional animal and the common cold." --Ogden Nash


Coach's Thought For The Day

"Be sincere. Be simple in words, manners, and gestures. Amuse as well as instruct. If you can make a man laugh, you can make him think and make him like and believe you." --Alfred Smith


Deep Thought For The Day:

Big Bang Theory:  God spoke and "Bang!" It happened...




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Let's Go Surfing Dude!


~ Same Old Story?
Christmas is here again. Maybe this year it's time to take a fresh look at what it's all about.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/2003/005/1.44.html

~ Christmas.com's Worldview
One day. Many ways to celebrate. Discover the Christmas customs of people all over the world--from the South Pacific to the Middle East, Australia to Greenland.
http://www.christmas.com/worldview



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Author MICHAEL T. POWERS
www.Heart4Teens.com

Contributing Author to Chicken Soup for the Teen's Soul on Love and Friendship and 20 other inspirational books.

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

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ALL-STAR Ministry

--The Youth Church of Faith Community Church in Janesville, WI

If you are in 6-12th grade and live in the southern Wisconsin/northern Illinois area and would like to check us out, we meet every Sunday night from 6:30-8:00 PM at Faith Community Church which is located at 2931 Lucerne Dr. in Janesville, WI. (About 3 blocks south-east of The Skating Place.)

Currently we have students from Fort Atkinson, Milton, Janesville Craig, Janesville Parker, Marshall, Orfordville, Clinton, Beloit Memorial, Beloit Turner, South Beloit, and Hononegah. E-mail me back if you have any questions about our weekly meetings or would like to come to any of our events that are listed below... We have way too much fun and then, most importantly, talk about issues that are relevant to you as a teenager.


New Series!  "The Seven Checkpoints"
 
THIS WEEK: Sunday December 26 -- Christmas Party!

Sunday January 2 -- Healthy Friendships
Sunday January 9 -- Healthy Friendships Part 2
Sunday January 16 -- Healthy Friendships Part 3
Sunday January 23 -- Wise Choices
Sunday January 30 -- SnoBall Weekend!

Sunday Febuary 6 -- SuperBowl Party!
Sunday February 13 -- Wise Choices Part 2
Sunday February 20 -- Wise Choices Part 3
Sunday February 27 -- Ultimate Authority

Sunday March 6 -- Ultimate Authority Part 2
Sunday March 13 -- Ultimate Authority Part 3
Sunday March 20 -- Others First
Sunday March 27 -- No Youth Group Easter Sunday

Sunday April 3 --  Others First Part 2
Sunday April 10 -- Others First Part 3


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Teen Community Groups
6:30 - 8:00 PM Wednesday nights
 
Wednesday night community groups for teens. The groups are limited to no more than ten teens and are split into Jr. High and High School ages. This night is for those teens who want to dig deeper than what we do in All-Stars, but may not be ready to be a part of the Extreme Teens. These cell groups will also be doing special activities with each other as the year goes on to build community.

Join us as we do a Bible Study called "Life Together!"
 
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The Extreme Teens

6:30 - 8:00 PM Wednesday nights  is on Wednesday nights from 6:30 - 8:00 PM

"Extreme Teens" meet Wednesday nights from 6:30 - 8:00 PM (September -May). This group is very extensive with weekly homework, memorization, service projects, etc. Students interested in this group will have to fill out an application, provide references as to why others think they should be involved with this, and sign an agreement as to what is expected of them.

Join us as we study the book "A Life God Rewards For Teens"

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Reading Books, Changing Lives!


For those of you who love to read or love to give out books as gifts...

You can now order a number of different autographed best-selling inspirational books for the same price you would get them in the store, the shipping to you is paid for, and you are helping change the lives of teenagers and those they come in contact with! 

If you love to read inspirational stories, these books are most likely those you will eventually buy anyway. And how cool would it be to be able to buy books like those in the Chicken Soup series for your friends and family with a personalized autographed message by one of the contributing authors! How's that for a unique gift! Check out this link to find out more!

http://www.HeartTouchers.com/books