Scripture teaches us that God created “the lights in the expanse to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years” (Gen. 1:14, NASB). Thus, our Creator Himself set up a system of dividing time. For the Israelites, this division was based on the cycle of the moon’s orbit around the earth. However, when the Roman Empire invented the calendar that would form the basis for our current western one, their scientists based it on the revolution of the earth around the sun, disregarding the moon’s cycle.

Although our current calendar still has 12 months, much like the Hebrew calendar based on the lunar cycle, those months don’t correspond to any really consistent marking of the seasons. Nevertheless, it’s still significant that there are twelve months, since this was the number of months that the Israelites used in their calendar. The number twelve, as the fact of the Isrealite tribal number suggests, represents order and government, and points to the reality of God’s meticulous and beautiful control over all of creation, including time and the seasons.

Further, the fact that we count the years based on the approximate year of the birth of the Lord Jesus reminds us of His life and current reign in heaven over all things. This fact that Jesus is now reigning, 2,025 years from the time that He was born, reminds us that He’s in control of all things, and is soon to come in judgment and the establishment of the completed kingdom of God.

Hearkening back to Christmas, read the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6-7:
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.” (NASB95)
Carefully note that “the government” resting on the Messiah’s shoulders doesn’t come to Him after He matures, but as SOON as He’s born. This passage says that while still a CHILD He will bear the government. And what is this government? It’s the government of “the throne of David” and his “kingdom”. Also notice that Isaiah says that at that time the Messiah would “establish it . . . from then on.” Hence, the Lord began to reign in seed form from the beginning of His earthly life. In fact, He told the Pharisees, “the kingdom of God is in your midst” (Lk. 17:21, NASB95). Why? Because the King had come.

Therefore, let us use this last day of 2024 to celebrate the reign of our coming King and Savior Jesus, who has given we who worship Him blessing, protection, and provision this past year, and will continue forevermore. Come, Lord Jesus!