Jesus Christ: The Foundation of Our Life
The calendar year we commonly use begins in January and ends in December. December is often a time to reflect on the past year and prepare for the new one. But is December truly the final month for everyone? According to the academic calendar used in schools, the year starts in August and ends in June. For the U.S. government’s fiscal year, the year begins in October and ends in September. And in the church’s Lectionary Calendar, the year begins with the first Sunday of Advent and ends with the Reign of Christ Sunday. This year, the first Sunday of Advent is December 1st. So, December is not just the last month of the year but the first month of the new Lectionary Year.
In the church, the new year begins with the anticipation of the birth of baby Jesus. This signifies that Christ is with us from the very start of the year. The church’s journey begins with the coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the most powerful foundation of the church. What we have to remember is that, as the apostle Paul reminds us, we are the church. So, Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith. It is through Christ that we live, receive comfort, find strength, and walk together in faith. Christ is the Lord of our lives, our example, and the One who ultimately leads us to salvation. We are meaningful only in Jesus Christ.
Just as the church year begins with Christ, so should Christ be the center of our lives. As December, the month in which we await the birth of baby Jesus begins, I hope we will see it not just as the last month of 2024 but as a time to renew our faith in Christ and begin our lives anew in him. May we all live through Christ, who is the source of our life and who leads us to God’s salvation. Amen.
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So, I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
Pastor Jinha Choi
First & Wesley United Methodist Church