Free & Fit Christmas Reflection - Hagel's Interpretation of Art

Final Project: Advent Sermon Reflections

As part of my research and reflection assignment project I am going to write three sermons, short homilies, based upon three of my personal reflections from class this past Fall. They will include the Holy Spirit prayer we pray at the start of class from Augustine, the intentionality and focus of Husserl through creating mental brackets and direct intentionality and then, finally, Hegel and his perspective on how all Art has meaning and that its original creator has a design and purpose for its existence.

Final Project – Christmas Message - Hagel’s Interpretation of Art

“In terms of Art Hegel believed that no Art was made for just Arts sake. That it was created with a purpose. Perhaps take a tv media film, a poem or an Artistic drawing all have been created with a purpose. To ultimately serve their audience or publics with a perspective, insight or form of new understanding which had not been thought of before (Appendices, 3.)”

Selected Lectionary Reading Christmas Eve

Isaiah 9:6-9:7

Isaiah 9:6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 9:7 His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Matthew 2:14-2:20

2:14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" 2:15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." 2:16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 2:17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 2:18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.2:19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Jesus is our Wonderful Counsellor. As we sing the hymn, recite the words and celebrate this Christmas we must remember the truth to which we have been called. That Jesus came to this earth, to defeat sin and death and for God to become man and to show us all the purpose, design and reason for this earth, the person who perfects all our lives and fulfills the Prophecy of this Messianic Jew, becoming the Son of God and it is his Birth which is the ultimate miracle. A baby conceived of the Holy Spirit, created to bring new life to the world and the perfect person born without sin, blemish or fault. Jesus is our Wonderful Counsellor, he is not just the reason why we celebrate this Christmas, he is the Christ. The Son of the Virgin Mary, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords and the ultimate gifts for us all this Christmas.

How do we receive Gods Wonderful Counsellor today I hear you ask? It is through The Holy Spirit, who is now present with us today. In Jesus words the Holy Spirit is our Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you (John 14:26.). In all our Christmas decorations, Christmas Carol services and Christmas Tree spectacular ornaments we can see the Holy Spirit at work. It is through creation that God appears to us. It is through the wonder of our creator, the ultimate artist and author of world our that we can see our Mighty God.

Jesus believed in art. God made the world in six days and rested. We are all the recipients of the greatest Artist, our Mighty God and we are all able to make, observe and contribute to this creation. Hagel believed that every piece of art was created with purpose, with imagination and with authentic a new understanding, expression or perspective. Art without purpose is not true. Christmas without Christ is not true and Christmas without you is not true. We are so glad that you are here, whether by invitation, against your will, through tradition or through belief. You are welcome, loved and accepted by God. This Christmas season we hope, like us, that you would receive Jesus Christ again once more into your life. The author and creator of this earth. As we pray the Lords prayer, as we sing the hymns and as we confess with our lips and believe in our hearts let’s not just go through the motions today. Let us pause and bring to life Our Father in heaven, lets sing a shout of Praise, let’s make a time of silence to observe who he is and let’s celebrate Jesus this Christmas.

Jesus is our Wonderful Counsellor, he is our Mighty God, he is everyone’s, yours and mine, Everlasting Father and he is the Prince of Peace. Let us shout a Praise, take a moment of silence and then together either aloud, quietly in your heart or screaming with Praise at the top of your voice declare this prayer with me.

Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace be with us this Christmas. We declare to you now this year have forgotten the way to go, teach us anew how to be and how to follow you. We declare that you are our Lord, the Lamb who was slain, the Baby who was born, who lived on this earth, died and rose again with us to bring salvation to all. We love you; we Praise you and we need you. O how we need you Lord. Be with us all this Christmas, change us, transform us and bring your Holy Spirit to us all in Jesus name.

Amen.

Love and Blessings Free and Fit Team. Join Tim at Free and Fit events by signing up to our events online at our website below. Free and Fit Website: https://www.freenfit.org/ Free and Fit Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCf4gjFopw_eyr6-w7c3bxiQ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/pg/freeandfitchallenge TwitterandInstagram: @freeandfitnyc Email: freeandfitnyc@gmail.com Freedom // Fitness // Fellowship Free and Fit Challenge © Copyright 2017 Free and Fit NYC/NJ © Copyright 2017 Free and Fit London © Copyright 2017