Christianity is first and foremost an applied religion, and so therefore like all things on earth, there is a seasonality to our church and spiritual life.  Today we begin the season of Advent, fifty days of learning to hold loosely the things of this world and hold fast to the one thing needed.  ‘Seek first the kingdom of God’ says Jesus in today’s reading, and all (other) things will be given to you as well.’ Often there is a noticeable tension between the secular season and the spiritual one, and when there is, that’s a hint that we have spiritual work to do.  I have found the beginning of Advent to have such tension.  Advent urges us to hold loosely to things of the world, while our culture convinces us of the opposite; urging us to grab onto as many things as possible to find security and comfort in this world.  Which voice we listen to, will shape the quality of our time as we close out this year and look forward to another year ahead!